Full text of "Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society"

See other formats

The Bulletin Of 2 mae oe, RY |
the Amateur
Entomologists'
Society

World list abbreviation
Bull. amat. Ent. Soc.

Index to
The Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society
Vol. 55 (1996)
and to
Invertebrate Conservation News (ICN)

Nos. 19-21 (1996)

Edited by
Wayne Jarvis B.Sc.

Index compiled by Jacqueline Ruffle
Edited by Wayne Jarvis

Published by
The Amateur Entomologists' Society
P.O. Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG
ISSN 0266-836X

AUTHOR INDEX

Barclay, Maxwell

iBIGYe4.TU V0 1 OYEIS) (EG lsat Oe eR PRR tien” SAP Mee tere «ono. 404. 45-46
Best, Graham

BNO i) Bi ee tastes mre ants geen oer een seta La tet neers higene ee coe eaiaeens woe aInas es ee ae .... 405: 04
xen lodingstrea cle si: Wee eies a Meese le as ie a er 406: 64
Moo-ving CXPCrienCe Kitt Naat saree font -eaee areas cen ceanvie shane odeesdegantesecatiae=nnents- 40D: DO
Whatis in ‘a mame? (POEM) sss x. snacheas cacao: sohien sa s¢eesatesceoes temenen tee eee nee ee eee eee eee 404. 32
Betts, Clive

Living; carpet tile - 2.2. cci.csc) es). se ee ee re 404. 47
Boireau, Patrick

Winning the battle against pupal parasites! wre ne tee one. -cees-coee eae 405: 71-75
Bragg, Phil

Mantids & cockroaches meeting & study, Stroup ccc s0ici--:-c-aee 405: 56

Brock, Paul D. and Seow-Choen, Francis
Rare stick-insect from Singapore: Lopaphus brachypterus (de Haan) 1842

with descriptions of the male and-egaw. ln ae ee 405: 79-82
Carpenter, Ron
Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust Entomological Section ......... Dinas 404. 46
Clausen, Mari Margaret
Unidentified caterpillar in Saurland, Germany ..................... SES SSS ee 404. 38
Cole, Stuart
Insects of the Shimba Hill National Reserve, Kenya, April, 1994 ................. 405: 91-95
Notes on the insects and other invertebrates of an urban house .............. .. 408: 217-22
Cooper, John E.
Invertebrate collection National Avian Research Centre,

United ‘Arab Emiurates.......::.. gee eee eee. Aa Sh Aum eot eam 409. 256
Observations of the Painted lady-in Avalide =x. sence cc eee 409. 289-90

Crawford, Anthony
Perching to advantage? The Purple hairstreak (Quercusia quercus):

Observations during July/August 1996 on a common by the M25 .......... 409. 261-2
Cronin, Alan (and D. MacNamera)
Unusual foodplant: The Painted lady (Cynthia Cardui) ..........c.c.00c0cceeeeseess 409. 287-9
Danby, Ilse

Spanish phenomenon:— answers please ak. m.c.ne ice... cars .insse eee eeeeee 409. 262

Dawson, M.]J.

SPAM TODS 9 ead ees Gengavennscsn ce cucas cate ous hy eee Ootee CoRR uM ORERNE AN aac ae eee 405: 59-60
Dickerson, Barry

Brown argus (Aricia agestis) in Huntingdonshire (VC31) .........c.cccceeeeeeeeeee 404: 37-38
Long-tailed blue (Lampides boeticus) in Kent ...........c.cccccccscecseoeceeneeestttveees 405: 75
Eades, R.A.

Dragonflies — food for hobbies? Some :aNSweT1s ..cc.c.....c.ceccesececeeeceeesceeeaceeeneee 404. 42
Feathered ranunculus onvieard!” Ainkicineea ceed, See. eee 404. 22

Eden, Steve

MemMeAlANChHCODPEL, LYCACIG TAUPATAD A ij. cn csinc sso EWiinsteSiee seeds Rao Roek ans 409. 274-6
Unwelcome visitors from Australia: Polistes Hymenoptera) ...........cc ee 409. 263-4
Ellis, George (sic. — should read Else, George)

Speci leo" ICT: Pac a een one ae ee 409. 272-3

Ellis, Hewett A.
Observations on Microplitis ocellatae, Bouché (Braconidae: Microgastrinae),
a gregarious endoparasite of the Poplar hawkmoth caterpillar,

gar MR PROPTIUAININE Fels 2 inde osesanscsssucnnaeceumieheeteatt snecnadeecegest vecesusdsosesaveasas 408: 199-202
Ellis, Jonathon
BODINE ASSES ee ee ee neh lock irik 0) ea 404: 21
Emmerson, Alan
SMUIE Gif BSS TM TST POY Tc I pen me ee 407. 170
Emmet, Maitland
“UR EALTIET! LES acsearle 405: 57
Flint, Sharon
(GUD TPSRME ISITE, TG Bul SCe se a aga S sum le ie a en eRe eee 404: 49

Gardiner, Brian
Alleged overcollecting:

could we have evidence and understanding please? .............cccceeeeeeeeeeee 408: 203-211
aMOMeGmMersMeaG LO IMACCULALE TECOLGS ........:scececcccecdeveqnncncceesscosenstanceassessones 404. 44
HOG Plamisr ero wal Owtall JATVAEC c....c..c1nerncneensiternoacenienroanenaacecnneadddacn had cceiies 404. 30
Some notes on butterflies in Cambridge during 1995. ...............ccsccsessceeeeeee 400: 123-4
Garrett, John B.

Some observations on the Behavioul of the Hornet, Vespa crabro L. ......... 409. 249-53
Gregory, John L.

Notes and observations: Some unusual courtship behaviour ...............000. 408. 212
Gunnell, Roberta

Redaduurais-andiwashing lines = PArt 20.2..0..08 ices eicecdeqsccsestecdesecsonscendens 407. 185
Guye, Michael G.

Greyroiem tle SAS MeClleS (HUGANUS CCTUUS VL.) so nccaiseceosctuccetencseninecoscdesteeenaces 405: 60
Harvey, Martin

AES Area Conservation Representatives: An update (November 1995) ...... ICN 19: 3-4
Mewismroniutie AES AGCA REPLESENLALIVES= o......-.00s.nceneccngeeeoadieoussesoeeneasneessons ICN 19: 9-11
Hatto, Jeanette

UMM AE ARIV AK Ol A-SITAMACS MONSLET |. ....2...ccedeczceesvenecsecsenneceestogsercesancecesresestes 409. 248
Hay, John

Goermus omncear Allan Poe: Fact OF fictioMm?® ......h.c.6.c-.cceorcveoes--denncierckoopone 409. 257-9
Sheep nostril botfly (Oestrus ovis): Larval infestation of the conjunctiva

2 2) TREGISUIIA « pBeorene hare eeecocceebeceac sc cc aUaee Seen Rec ere eco ee ee 404. 25-26
Hayward, Roger
Diese SRMAMISCOL —AaN UNUSUAL TECOLG coca secs ins aaacdeaddeeeeteddeoeeenesodeibtaths. abate 408: 212
Hodge, Simon
Occurrence of seaweed flies (Diptera: Coelopidae) at Hartlepool .............. 407. 186-8

Huang, Hao

Noteston! the)senusSizopierts in Ghina.....-)......be17 ne eee ee 405: 67-70
Hughes, M.O.

Interesting Notodontid moth found in north-west Somerset ....................... 409. 247
Uncommon Sysphid found 'in:Conwy, Wales -2-...20. 22 24. 409. 286

Irons, Stuart
BDS Collective Knowledge Project update, Aeshna grandis,

the: Brown awe /s6 fr ecto Stet We Fan os cee sascha Soa aero see a oe Oe MS AS
Jarvis, Wayne
Calg ne im SWCD righ 2 sos save ate thse sca gee fees ee Sets eee hae ae 495: 102
ReporeoMmCoumci= W995 ooo aia secon cd eden Nee 409. 236
SOME MOlES ON Me: SUMMNICK OLS. [kee eee nc shetacee sane ee ee 404. 27-28
JCCBI
Legislation for the conservation and protection of invertebrates:

the JCCBI policyssiateme nt e2 2 sii, ohect ee scree ss. sana see Se ee ICN 29: 3
Recommendations for each of the above legislative purposes,

as applied to terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates .................:1ecee00 ICN 29: 4-5
Jenkins, Derek
Large influx, of micrants in southern England: 2... 4 409. 276-7

Johnson. Mark
Great. Australian adventure Sica..6c8 oe eS eee 404: 16-20

Joint Committee for the Conservation of British Invertebrates: see JCCBI

Jones, Colin

NG@w me cords fOr WALES tes orsth sre oes use ee RDA ten a See ee 404. 36
Jones, Jerry
Holidays*inSOuthiawe St BRamnGe taf e.k. te oat a 2a oe oak a 409. 270-2

Jones, Richard A.

Hanging around in the woods: Long-leggedness in a leaf beetle ............... 405: 61-64
King, Gareth
Etymology not.entomolOsy- Ssh isacls.csccdecocene oe aoe ena a eee ea 400: 131-2

Korycinska, Anastasia

MOSGUMtO Sarva oA Ae Re cae ae a cs en Ea ee nee ee 404: 11-13
Koryszko, Jan

FROPIMET MOL TECOTO ocris 5555 Sans cakcoane 2ac cnet pensions Ore ReN eRe kaon cee Sine 405: 66
How long does a Devils. coach-horse Jive?’ «....250.. 0k s.cdencessth sc 405: 66
Humming-bird hawkmoth in Staffordshire <<. cee. ccesecnencecateacce se etuenenene 405: 77
Purple and White-letter hairstreak butterflies in Hem Heath Wood,

StAtOna SITS Set a aaa en Mia eee valves cade eee 404. 49
Rare find:at Wryley Common; Staffordshire... ....:..........:.csis.ccyaessecasee eee 404: 41
Sugaring plates for moths and butterflies .........c/..c- Lt ek Ree 405: 90
Uncommon moth at Park Hall Country Park, Staffordshire ....................... 400: 121
Visit to Prees Heath and Whixall Moss, Shropshire .............005.....08.Hieesesapeees 405: 58

Lamour, Michael
Some observations on breeding Moon moths (Lepidoptera: Attacidae)

= 22/52 | -c2eccodscaseete social eMBMEMRE ie aser delet RR rear Ee Re eee ee 400: 135-41
Si Tar POPE ee SN ec acc ashe secach ce nae BRSERS > Sasaine caste nocd inegeacdeedensenas 408: 233-30
Lewis, Keith C.
PECL IITGSE BES OCULII SRO SOAR RRR EE P cr eer EEE Oe te ener PRE 400: 142
Locke, Andrew
Re OME CRTC ASUIG Te OO oon Senin eaguatiesenena@egeebins / salad sshcaen ett demeunt 409. 237
Lonsdale, David
BemeemAMOMERepOlt LOL 1995 (oo ac.b soit. cctnessdeeqeicneddecesnsncrsueceneconsTesconensencenenes 409. 238-40
Maddocks, John
ee NRCS NTIS IN Ui 2 oe ones sca fede wncoa asecmdo cs av anatorsadeaaueitoeds can onnidestontsacsves 400: 124
Madin, Don
Reeiaemurts andiwasiine lines — Part 3 .......c..ssssccreusctennsveteceseevncdoeserserceeseens 407. 185
Majerus, Michael E.N.
Ladybird, ladybird, fly to my home! (or how to attract ladybirds
Ie HOON MUU) Ma eG oe dads ian cd vx nies doa eaveravdet cnedleuevong Beodacsalecneertaeerses 405: 83-90
Mann, Darren
EES, GOES OE PELLN TS cL Re ea 404: 5-6
McCann, Frank
LEY? SITIO) SE CIC) LO ae ene ee 409. 253
GESTOR! TNT POH TCHS an ere cee Ble ae EE ei See ee 409. 277
INAS fan ceamfo OMAN ANE SINT S reac ca0 20s nsecsceusa ood aalnuttpteaptadaeuese ateepeends si iannsrensanaeeas use 404. 43
MMe Wat AUP W TING IASO OW, 2. <2c6)c0..0encenns-cosnowasedouesiersdeceraliecsaseaceasonsvancencere 405: 65-66
McCormick, Roy
Fain NIN MIR PORE LOL LOIS oe o0.0. 50sec choc soecnctosdeoieacscnndese iacseipeseitsedensencesssenseges 407: 146-66

McNamara, Don

Long, hot summer of 1995. A note on Mellicta athalia (the Heath fritillary).. 408: 231-2
Note on Bacillus rossius, the: Gorsican:stick-insect «..).i.. 60.80. eGi adds. 404: 31-32
Sonor silver ¥- Note On AUl0graphG GAMMA. ....5 eho tee 404. 24
Unusual foodplant: The Painted lady (Cynthia cardui) (with A. Cronin) .. 409. 287-9
Unusual pairing: male Cinnabar (Callimorpha jacobaeae) and

RMA eM CAMCMUGCE CO RAONILUIA) ih cstecucesssccvancseseccnucdsustcctoadgagaenuopessesses 408: 216
Morton, Tony
SS CUVEILIL Tap mLAS Pi UST 2 Taco 0 407. 167
Nettleton, Guy
GPS AMAOUN CLV INANITIA CISPAN) .Sy.ce.ccacsacesessdincseesssdadevsscesarsosicessnacevedecedavesn’e 405: 90-97
Newnham, Tim
Collection of the late Ronald John Gooseman of Bearsted, Kent ................ 407: 191-93
Nicholls, Colin
HiGTen meme NGTS | OCALI OMS a ees ceen cere Al he eae oko se abcess ela cave ade lexauecesbelawauaeansiutes 404: 38
Owen, Denis F.
rise neMtallror melanic: Peppered MOths ..........csc0sense$.deoneeertan Seas 408: 211

Page, Bernard

Hawkmoth larvae on wsinchaeskt sei.2 sch aes. See ee 406: 128
Partridge, Bob
Moths of Mepal additions for 1994 and 1995%-2s se eee 409. 205-8
Pennington, Mike
Redadmiralssand qwashine limes cc. tee erat eee 404. 2
Phalan, Ben
Red admiral attracted to: pale blue jeams\......4¢...:02:-ceicetoeses 2 OES
Smallitenoiseshelitinkeaniyab cbnuatyyascs-.-u-.5- cree. cores eee 404. 14
Picknell, Alvin
Dragontlies!— food: for hobbies? Some AMSWELS -c:.22es.c- eee 2oesc ts ee eee 404: 42
Pickup, Mark
Some observations on the pairing and egg-laying habits of the

Saturniid moth, Dictyoploca simld WestwOOd. 2... -.025.:-.0-<c-<6s5- ee 407. 184-5
Pittman, Stuart
BEIMMSTOME HIME CES *CLNOME Uy aise eee eee eile oe 405: 95
Pitt-Payne, Michael
Hummingbird haw kaos tm Ayles Duty. -nc..0.0-20-t Gece - ats soc cect eo eer 405: T7
Plester, Leigh
Additional correspondence on Swallowtail foodplants «0.0... 4006: 142
AGmiraliblOwiir Onl COCLSe wera eee ik sor: 2s cc ccsen sok ch ee oe ... 406: 141
In:Searchtok thie:4-1ol duaete west eclssieisuaktac cies ae 409. 260
Raper, Chris
Unusual/rare species seen in- South Oxfordshire .!:4.0.s.ics: decease 407. 143-5
Rimington, Ted
Notes:on the! reappearance of Lycaenid butterflies -...:...-.s...cc-esececcress soe 407: 194-5
Robinson, Neil A.
Mining bee, Andrena humilis, evicting two earwigs from its nest-hole ..... 409: 269

Rowlings, Matthew
Cruel death for Peck’s skipper while the Harvester is collected nearby,

Cheesequake State Park, New Jersey, USA, 10th August 1995 ................. 407. 108-70
Graylingitreean the Ardeche, Pramee, 1004 as inlay on Scat: yarn tau 407: 188-90
INtEf= SEMEN: COURUSIUTT Heche epee oh carer ea eae eee ote gee 407: 174
Miydirsimino liana roa ek Woe es ss seca caxe ncn ccera ck ae cqitee AS ec ee 406: 129-30
Nervous ibultertlies dm north-eastern USA cence coc-..c---eccteeakencuneges ca eee 400: 133-4
Mh bidcoyy Zvovel JoyelnResad hiatal \elrinlez|alcycy Me meen we he eee RRR recmenncercne 4006: 124
Roy, P.

Noteston the Silkinoin) Rearer’s HanGboOk ess... 655 i nessclcgncen cons sne ete ceee eee 404. 29

Sato, Sotaro

BUTISHINES OF TVIATEA hag ee, ce eter cke ees nema ere Riv andaat ca dane « bisScemane Secor 404: 4-5
Butterflies of the London suburbs from July to August 1993 ........0...cceee 404. 7-10
Collecting moths in theisuburbs of Yokohama, Japan’ *.....2........00sccenee 404: 13-14
Unusual matin bEehAaviGuinin SraSshO persis accienace cde tet cns seein ec shen eee ee 404: 10

Seow-Choen, Francis
Eggs found in a gynandromorph of the Malayan jungle nymph,
Heteropteryx dilatata (Phasmida)):...<.s.ccs.ckc.dcsnapeeen stance EP eee a 400: 122

Seow-Choen, Francis and Brock , Paul D.
Rare stick-insect from Singapore: Lopaphus brachypterus (de Haan) 1842

MIPMEASSCEOMONS Ofithe MAIC ANG COS. x cesceesiheecscteeescneedvesevieceeeekcccerderneens 405: 79-82
Smithers, Peter
Waretecle TESA CXC INC) 0) OS) eara bates R REE tor aes ee aed ee 405: 97
Sokoloff, Paul
elit ote Lem AMC OM aN Ve S rere Serle aie. ia o2 Sisemsenchooons asebesecamea oredmsaieass uiedasGlesaunagonnsnns 408: 213-4

Sutcliffe, Edward
Observations on the increase of recorded species of Lepidoptera in the

Fraga! TEU) ZIG". cect obk SDRee sec RE Ee eRe eee Pt Orne ee te ree eee 409. 281-6
Sutton, Roger
itesenea cheb uitentiy. Reserve! 1974-1996 ~..........cccoscsaqecsscdesuyenseesedaededheasepiese de 400: 105-21
Tordoff, George
FastemmrcaknneNomolk (13th-to 18th April 1995) ic:cih.ieticeve.s.ssceeeccetensstess 405: 55-56
Trevis, Geoff
hememeMrate conservation A local Perspective fiii..28ieeesslccceselde-ceedeodebineee: ICN 19: 4-6
Wakeham-Dawson, Andrew
Rime let Ce veni@) MOUILCTHITES, If) GREECE co. .4).08 sn nts0-.casectaaaonslveereacastbowsaesnordecoeseneh 404. 33-36
Watts, R.C.
Elie Mathie POA ONNEAIS she) ractgscncsectsdeeeneasyeecnsivataaeClgesiatedenyeadessondesdngeeeedates 405:
Wilkins, Philip
SLAY G SE TRE. SVAIS Oe Ses ais ee NRE ee Re cc re 405: 70
Winokur, Len
Nevemmingaine molluscs here come the moths! iio. .eii...ciecsesscccccssosseseees 404. 23-34

TITLE INDEX

DO DIS eae tts hence Maser hea lia co Dudas ee eee Es ee 405: 64
Addition to correspondence on Swallowtail foodplants ..............0.0cccceeeee 400: 142
Admiral blowawoliicourseys ) ss teetc yess eel coc! ince ace ete Ss: ..... 406; 141
AES Area Conservation Representatives: An update (November 1995) ....... ICN 19: 3-4
NES: GONSETVATOMBR OI yi orale ar ka 0 ccna See eae ee nc ..... ICN 20: 11-12
INES OES: Oriibellivg ores ces SNE Nt ties ee eter adn aaa ana es eee 404: 5-6
Alleged overcollecting: could we have evidence and

understanding. please? cis. fest sostateose givens coset eee eae eee 408: 203-211
Ancient tee: Foruniand the veteran Iteednitiative:. 3-5. ICN 20: 5-7
AnmuUal aThivaliOl-ay Strange nme ste tance eee eee cate eee 409. 248
AT OUNCE EAT SIG Coeaycnit are eecccn Oey Nee tea cee een Perera eee es ee ee 404. 21
Banned nets lead toxinaccurate records. «2.2 ncs.-ee cee 404. 44

BDS Collective Knowledge Project update, Aeshna grandis,

thie Brow awk ciara e ames ss eet te, saa crete de em Too eee ee 408: 215-6
Biodiversity Action Plan: publication of the UK Steering Group Report ..... ICN 20: 7-8
BTMStONe MEECIS: CLONE MI sc. keen areca nett ce eee ae tee te 405: 95
Brown Argus (Aricia agestis) in Huntingdonshire (VC31) pain ten eee
Bug tmimasked scsccncis datdesee ie Bicester 404. 45-46
Bus stop entomology ........ Pers ee eters Ais erence hi toe eee ety ee 409. 253
WEEKES OMIM ANCAN, sere serer eaceten wee tea case eiadcok dace Se Annee ee ae 404. 4-5
Butterflies of the London suburbs from July to August 1993 .........00......00. 404: 7-10
@auighit ante; Wel uit iy eet es Fie Meta ee a ee ee ane late ree ee 405: 102
Collecting moths in the suburbs of Yokohama, Japan .............:c::cceeeeeeeeees 404: 13-14
Collection of the late Ronald John Gooseman of Bearsted, Kent ................ 407. 191-93
ConservationgReporulor alos tee ance ee aie cne race ck Sa te sm ieee ee ae 409. 238-40
Cruel death for Peck’s skipper while the Harvester is collected nearby,

Cheesequake State Park, New Jersey, USA, 10th August 1995 ...........:... . 407. 168-70
Dragontlies—food'for hobbies? S@mMe ANSWERS 2. cs: gcse vevece teeta gee ee 404: 42
Easter break in Norfolk (13th to 18th April 1995) .....cc.cccccesssesssessesteeseeeeeees 405: 55-56
Eggs found in a gynandromorph of the Malayan jungle nymph,

Heleropieryx dilatata CP hasmida) : 2. Soi cisaccsenneaadanenocctapusnevethsestncns eoesa eatgas 4006: 122
BiynUGlOPy NOt-entOMIOlOSy sasha eckoec oc: <csesgac ceeds seed Canee sae ceee a en 400: 131-2
Exhulbinon neport for 1995 sos. iiss snes ge ccs Cae op ee ce 407. 146-66
Exploding treacle ci ikecnde nie vectc ht Rothe ees Ses thaee tecean sane bak ariel ea a 400: 132
Feathered tatiunculus Om. board! 6c sccccoteesighcgas caasnteneeneeese ee eee 404. 22
Foodpiants: of Swallowtail larvae. eas cepa reac eee tegen 404. 30

ZEST TEISES SNOT ohana Ae a eee ere ae LOO VT,

Glee eV ORM Swale Wal SS PTR Bee As, ses BIE DR Rehabs Pe 404. 49
Gola Gus endear Allan POE: Fact,O6 MCHOM?. .......checccssceiceeseceeeedescegeseeeteees 409. 257-9
Grayhneincemm theArdeche, France; 1994. ciccicsc.ssscceeleghetsocceeuaceceeveseedeecsaeds 407: 188-90
CG AMOS eD TAIN ACI VE IMCUIE sos w scot 22 Sou. ches baba e See ttecs ode cace ce taddened ibcedsniuebubess 404. 16-20
Gy prsmIMOt CLYMATIIIOAISPAN)! 2... 0c siceis.cuscsssnsdetscsthdbastateesedssatesseessseeobesteasi 405: 96-97
anid patinonswallowtalls Stes. f eA st PARR Ato oad ok ole edaccbebubecdatscse 405: 78
Hanging around in the woods: Long-leggedness in a leaf beetle ................ 405: 61-64
eee SoM OM AIACHOMOEICCI 02s scccccsesancscsnsasinensocuecudesnacadetas oderssenstacveusncccssosees 400: 128
TELE (S: WPSTEG) Fm, SST Vee Seed ee ae 400: 124
ede ete et MUM OM ERT Sic ecru ch hica on aneuelee-czeusnetanqesaavachogacdiedareasabcciesvnttnssacdeceaaces 408: 213-4
Hints to breeders to prevent predation by wasps when breeding outdoors . 408: 230
[RICLIC ANTS Ti SONNE SS Mie 10) Ce nee eee ee eee 409. 270-2
sti alte SA NEE COO et oo os a os nanluda cocced ctuee eet fnndadadivhasbidcnectoieseeeds 405: 66
Mowmonearcdoes a Devilsicoach-horse live? <....c..csocccesceqscds<onesbvosenssecseovthesens 405: 66
Humane oicd Wawkaaoth i AyleSDUry .............cccclencscceesesncds lensscesevensetesesss 405: 77
umn oine Maw Kanon in. Staffordshire <.4..-5...c.cccsegccece casero suatecwicsenncneseesees 405: 77

if, SSAC Cal nS OC aS eae eee ee ene 409. 260
Insects of the Shimba Hill National Reserve, Kenya, April 1994 ..........0....... 405.9 1-95
HBSS USING OCIINOIS ooh cage Ace Ee or et ee 404. 38
Interesting Notodontid moth found in north-west Somerset .............0006 409. 247
LEE SETS S CTUAES TD) Sav ro 407. 174
Invertebrate collection National Avian Research Centre,

(VGC. AC |, JEST OU TT, YS em ee eee el ee 409. 256
hnverteorace.conservation:A:local perspective + .. io o.i.6. lied ences sedeheceleesees ICN 19: 4-6
Invertebrate Conservation Conference, Peterborough ...........c.ccccecceseseeeee ICN 20: 13
Ladybird, ladybird, fly to my home!

(Gphovwtoratrct adybirds to your gardem)) !........c.2....eccectececcesscentetaessrees 405: 83-90
fame imilux of migrants: im southem England: (:............ecsceecec-ctceccedscessesees 409. 276-7
Legislation for the conservation and protection of invertebrates:

ETS [CBI j ONO, EGS TS 00 0) pe i ea ICN 20: 3
bess intensive Parmine and the Environment CLIFE”) ..).........ccccsscccaeceree--- ICN 20: 8-9
intl eseccachebuttetily REServe: 1974-1996 no... scxstecceseselencdsccenassstsensecsensanses 400: 105-21
spn TPO ROU CR es ek te Me Bnet Fe nce JN dria leepiledannqanesniieenSedanbenseinadsaee+suanae 404. 47
Long, hot summer of 1995. A note on Mellicta athalia (the Heath fritillary).. 408: 231-2
Ponetailedisiue; Lampides DOcweus)) im KEmt ....5....0.sces.0.0deaceneoiheaihesescanens 405% 75)
PAPE outa NONLIN MET PANT SIDI Crys eat occ edakies onc BS atk ca apeocsduvenes «cavacebe te. 02. SMR S Sense ak 404. 43
Mantids and cockroaches meeting and study group ..........:ccceeecteeeteeeeeees 405: 50

Marbled beauty oniGlasgow. .72::.0- 00 ane nae 405: 65-66

Mining bee, Andrena humilis, evicting two earwigs from its nest-hole ..... 409. 269
MOO=VAN GU SKPEMEMCE: uae Sasetersnountens-soaneyaqeamres uacdeeeh Sete tse ds sae ceeeee ae ee enema 405: 58
Mosquito glares ir i citecedenekstlodeuatoes sauce bonbdeaccocecieacuials | soSebe SiGe aetna a ee 404. 11-13
Moths of Mepal — additions for 1994 and 1995 ......:...:..:ccssceseennteestarstecens .... 409. 205-8
My; firstuboliday abroad 7.1. ie. 8c cise iese.pegoeehsp onceseba ces caequ ce Jae BRcpene Cyne ene eeneenee 406: 129-30
National Moth Conservation Project (Butterfly Conservation and

Joint Nature Conservation, Commitee)... cig. esteaepeee sea ecer eee eee eee ICN 20: 10
Never mind the molluscs, here-come the moths!Gt....%..:4,ce-m0-s sneer 404. 23-24
New n records for Walese +-.c.0)c.lcosscsssce seca ee 404: 36
News from the-AES Area Representatives: (:2ia:.tet etcetera ICN 19: 9-11
New, Zealand ‘Copper, LiCaenG) TOUPATADG psi. eee eee eee ee 409. 274-6
Note on Bacillus rossius, the Corsican stick-insect Mae rn OR hindu ance 404. 31-32
Notes and observations: Some unusual courtship behaviour. ................:.00. 408: 212
Notes*on-the, genus, Simopierts im Chima) cays..cseees- cease eee eee ee 405: 67-70
Notes on the insects and other invertebrates of an urban house ................ 408: 217-22
Notes: on the reappearance of Lycaenid’ butterflies) \..1-1- ome een eee 407. 194-5
Notesionm- the Silkmoth Rearer's) Handbook ass vscsscco eee ee 404. 29

Observations on Microplitis ocellatae, Bouché (Braconidae: Microgastrinae),
a gregarious endoparasite of the Poplar hawkmoth caterpillar,

LAOLDOC POPUlI VAD? 5:2. cocesne,aasueseuiootarsoraenc cease Obes ee 408: 199-202
Observations on the increase of recorded species of Lepidoptera in the
Penidle Hall areary rei aees ahs es cenc lesa vache teenage se ee eee nee eae 409. 281-6
©bservations on the Painted lady im Arabiay)....4. 00.7000) eee ee 409. 289-90
Occurrence of seaweed flies (Diptera: Coelopidae) at Hartlepool .............. 407: 180-8
Orgy-of male*stae-beetles (iucanus cervus li) eae. ee 405: 60
Out’ oh seasonyTortricoicl 2. ack... cies ccyteogosee se el Mees cule eat ee ee 407: 170
Perching to advantage? The Purple hairstreak (Quercusia quercus):
Observations during July/August 1996 on a common by the M25 .......... 409. 261-2
Purple and White-letter hairstreak butterflies in Hem Heath Wood,
Staitorals hae ea. s.8 35. coe veaeanetann eel ce seu Ge eterno os sO cee ae 404: 49
Rare finid,at Wryley Gommion, Staffordshire )...0..<.ccsccrsccecss a 404: 41

Rare stick-insect from Singapore: Lopaphus brachypterus (de Haan) 1842

with descriptions of:thesmale and: ego) 7.0... c6. an ne ee 405: 79-82
Recommendations for each of the above legislative purposes, CCBI

Policy Statement) as applied to terrestrial and freshwater invertebrates . JCN 20: 4-5

Red admiral attracted: to ‘pale: blue: jearisucis. wc ens. ek a a ee 404: 15
Red admirals and washing limes’ iii... cccsccsucssccthbehse Oke GER ENRI Se 404: 2
Red admunaisiand washing lines — Part 2 o.c)cccisisspcasecsveccs soveeuys oacee ccBRReeeD 407. 185
Red admirals ‘and washing lines — Part-3: sce cncscisescbsssigcaccectecceeees sdanulterenee 407. 185

Report of Council — 1995
Report of the Treasurer — 1995

Ringlet (Erebia) butterflies in Greece

Rise and fall of melanic peppered moths

Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust Entomological Section

Sheep nostril botfly (Oestrus ovis): Larval infestation of the
conjunctiva of a Bedouin

Small tortoiseshell in early February

Small white in Australia

Snail-dwelling wasp

Some notes on butterflies in Cambridge during 1995

Some notes on the Summer of ‘95

Some observations on breeding Moon moths (Lepidoptera: Attacidae)
= Past t

Some observations on the behaviour of the Hornet — Vespa crabrol. .......

Some observations on the pairing and egg-laying habits of the

SAMUEMMGIMOLM WCLVOPIOCG SIMIA WEStWOOG -i.iiicccciacceseccetescececnesetonscecess
SOMO SMe Ie NOLS ON AULOLTADVG GAMMA. \oic.ecccnccssoscsecsssinsccccssarseeeees
Spain 1995

Spanish phenomenon — answers please

Sugaring plates for moths and butterflies

Turkey and butterfly identification

Unbanned nets

Uncommon moths at Park Hall Country Park, Staffordshire

Pneommotn-syrplid found in Comwy, Wales ................cceccsseseesnsseseeesnesesoose
WitidentineG erterpillarin:saurland, Germany <......:...0...:0scdececsesoesereeqteeete
Unusual foodplant: the Painted lady (Cynthia cardui) (with A. Cronin) ....
Unusual mating behaviour in grasshoppers

Unusual pairing: male Cinnabar (Callimorpha jacobaeae) and
female Scarlet tiger (C. dominula)

Unusual/rare species seen in South Oxfordshire

Unwelcome visitors from Australia: Polistes Hymenoptera) .............000:c00
Violet click beetle Limoniscus violaceus
Visit to Prees Heath and Whixall Moss, Shropshire
Wanted: The Woodhopper

Webb’s wainscot — an unusual record

What’s in a name? (Poem)

Winning the battle against pupal parasites

409. 236
409. 237
404: 33-36

409. 272-3
23-4
: 27-28

f USA
Zo prow)
| 249-53

- 184-5
404: 24
405: 59-60
409. 262
405: 90
400: 124
405: 57
400: 121
409. 286
404: 38
409. 287-9

404: 71-75
405: 71-75

SUBJECT INDEX

Amateur Entomologists’ SOCIety 22.00.0000... ccececeeccet cette eeeeeetenseeneeeneenes 404: 5-6
Nita) NE PESEMIAMVC SW fesse eee ee. taane scenes ceeding sedecee spcheir aac: ae ee ICN 19: 6, 9-11
CONnSErVvaliOm POMC ye et eel onelotes ces eeeiosconsnevosetsts cc ious. Mahe tesa ere ICN 20: 11-12
EXIM OM* Sales). aye ce seh icecs dice acetyl cable WOR ch che legac eee ICN 21: 5-5
Financial statements — Year ended 31st December 1995 021... cece 409. 241-47

Reports of the Society 1995 —

CONnSEI ATOM RE PORi ei eee seers ache oacceetadace san ee eee a 409. 238-40
Xd @MpRe POM eres. can toda aes cet hoecnatcaces en «calbeasedee Soaens ete eee ee 407. 145-66
Repo olthe Councils. Sees eden coescsn bee eee 409. 236
REPOLrteOl the WLCASUREL oi) 28) acl seen acoenaeseedinecslbadics te. do teeee encen See ae 409. 237
PENI oo are ea ah ie swe tirheeh hone oe Ad ougs oC hucde duds Clas aatet tt Sasst cae eee 405. 91-95
PGT ACUNNEUIE Ca ono so ee ected igi nns be beng odeeensica Svcs tans ee ee ICN 20: 8-9
Australia
WE IA@ PUG EA seas hes os Sesnhetaats oc cilanetacsesboreeune chou cnadin lhtpan tent eer 407: 167
INatiia WSR: et eects soak aes ca esbiny WW ca ae een ee 404: 16-20
Beetles — see Coleoptera
Behaviour
WOle@ pte rete soe se a0 Bs oc ntk ee tal Deg dana Outer ae ae 405: 60, 61-64
DONDE Heated acc tees ds ak tartar ath, Moana he coh steel eese cage an chk ea ce ee 405: 95
VMEMO PUCLAL, sce, doctivi ace ooasnsy ooh dabun togsaes uae: aaceosee tea ceee ke ce cates ec ae ee 405: 70;

409. 249-53,
269, 272-3
MEPIGOPLE LA si ce ceaessee tle vevstyaddngersciigeectecs stake aes ee 405: 90;
407. 174, 185;
408: 212, 216

PATASHUASI Ns eit acess tases dances cs Spee ba aie calcu nsn aa ele Se Neh ee 405: 71-75;
408: 199-202

BIOGIVERST Oye ise isi OE i ee ee ICN 19: 7-8;
20: 7-8;

21: 5-8

Biological control. eo. 5 Sos cock, sos ce heehee aac con eee ee eee ICN 21: 8-9

Book & Journal Reviews:
(Names in brackets are authors, not reviewers)
(B = Book; J = Journal; JA = Journal article)

Auer Bnnpire (6- O'TOOLE) G3). coc hisnsoccachant eine ocr eae, ee eee 405: 98
PUGRUS EI WY LGN CU) cxaussnecweh ccessecatartenses eereun cee tece lace ee NG al oy ee 409. 278-9
Butterflies of the Canary Islands: a survey on their distribution,

biclopyand ‘ecology GM. Wiemers) GA) vai kee ee 409. 279-80
Diptera (True flies) from the Kenfig National Nature Reserve,

Corl aimee: CF AS TEMIM CB) cassis oss cysccuecsuSdean sonuth sanaghe canatecteoeeene cata 405: 99
InsecteS. in autre monde parmi nous (OPIE) () <....n.da ne. eee 404: 40-41
TISGGE WeeCl ier iva tari Cp Ook ce trccs lekvenps tence ccmeieece cue cee ae 405: 99-100
Insects & flowers, a biological partnership (J. Brackenbury) (B) ............ 407. 171-2

Microlepidoptera of Europe — Vol. 1: Pterophoridae (C. Gielis) (B)

National Trust and nature conservation 100 years on
(D.J. Bullock & H.J. Hervey (B)
New British Beetles: Species not in Joy’s practical handbook
(PJ. Hodge & R.A. Jones (B)
Wandelnde Blatter, Stab- und Gespentschrecken (D. Schulten) (B)

Butterflies: see Lepidoptera
China

Rs ORNs RK AM Re Eee tien nt nies soe soak te ctembeetaae reecnee seeenscaceeeeensvacetnees
Cockroaches: see Orthoptera: Blattodea

Coleoptera

Coccinellidae

MUU RR A EINAC EGLO DER ec oss cP ae oat auclaceioe cence ua abioeak de passeenewndened@ere

Corfu
se OER Ae ao os BS ay Pa HINTON Svs Har bees aagaduedanoansnsesiudabaseoacsvansbone

Dermaptera

Dietary
Cannibalism
Foodplants

THEG SHR CIRL Jame cos SoO ee eect aeRO TR 1 ee 1 NA Ce a an
Diptera |
Behaviour
TEESE ESS nS SSS aR A TO A= es wo
Syrphidae
REA C STORING COUS 6 29 ec cue ese eee CECB H a caldae S a oe dea eee deedadod eanitel

406: 126-7

405: 100-101

406. 125-6
404. 39-40

409:25i/-9.

405: 71-5, 78
407. 184-5
400: 135-41
408: 223-30
408: 230

405: 67-70

404: 49

405: 60, 61-64,
66

ICN 20: 9-10

405: 83-90

ICN 19: 3-4,
4-6
ICN 20: 5-7,
10, 11-12,
118}
ICN 21: 3-4
406: 105-21

407. 175-83
409. 254-5

409. 269

404: 23-24
404: 30

400: 128, 142
409. 287-9
408: 230

404: 11-13
407. 186-8
409. 286
404: 47-48
408: 217-22

Dragonflies: see Odonata

Earwigs: see Dermaptera

England
By Insect Order:
| DY G5 Sse sass Arar me 9 a a cece ee i retail bs har. 407. 186-8
LES SG eta ail eds Ris pe ret ta ain nate elma Sil pba net nena on ns 404. 21, 46
ICN 21: 9-11
TIVES iAtes tere rene mete shi. Aeeecee nti, 02 nae euaee te reNuae Pee eee ICN 21: 12
IMeyeslele) ol Cas beep Paci e de tel ee notre ad | aM ROE etry RERUN eh iene, Aart 404. 7-10, 24,
37-38, 41,
47-48, 49
405. 55-56, 75,
= 9657
406. 123-4, 124
407. 170, 194-5
408: 212,
231-2,
233-4
409. 276-7
ICN 20: 10
@srtla@ tera 2s iz.) nc ckicshashe lon sus S ya tusSzecncs Gen cacetn ve es hse eee ores ecco gene eee ICN 21: 11-12
By Geographical Region:
|B YS) 0s) Ml esas a ane Meer ee Jen ahioae Ag, sasbuadegode age eeeet seen ICN 21: 12
Camibrid sesh ine ves: sczsicstags citacocacey ci Jia! sccvates eeke sas eea se ee 406: 123-4
409. 256-8
PSV Ie oon Sods oe Tbacaane ata cto tac bei ea deinetig eo MD, oes Braels sae dela ee ICN 21: 12
FLAT SII 5. schs Se ca cen cah oe eee te eee oe oa eae esses eas saan ae ICN 21: 9-11
TROT 8 risen aes od aes se eo SCL el 406: 124
407. 191-93
Wan GAStnite vaca Sr ian a ee ea at pa ne eee 409. 281-6
NonsuchgPark, Sumey 22.24.05): 2a Reet Aa cs eee ICN 19: 11-12
NOntollk: Sei 5c a oe UN See Ia cc dao Scdgaioe SE ee 405: 55-56
ORPOLGS UMM. a ceo Sessa ake esa tu See toe aaa a ae su past ot ed cess ee 407. 143-5
Slat S ERS essa divesevns easendncatwan potnce aa tancae teat een Sacee nae ian ee 405: 58
S10) 01,15) Ral =) Danian ee Manure ppp nen Mier penn n tay, Jia tier here ie MRE Sehyncn RNS St ICN 21: 11-12
406: 105-21
409. 247
Stafiondslaire fires seete ade cron as othac a bans Soka ere ceeds Bet cents Sco es ee 404. 41,49
406: 121
SULTON, Sy acaihe tte scedie cnc Gi unc alh ownanwntonechaancc ape oeeaa nena Naw ah ole npc ee eRe oo reo ICN 19: 11-12
Tiwytord Downy Ham pPsnise rs 0. fle eee ate aes Oe cece ee RR cece ance ICN 21: 9-11
Tiymie so Wain oAe eee Reg Se Sc ce 407. 186-8
Windsor. (Beckeshinie ooNes aie fr oinccoo ecco Ne cea a nee ata eee cone ae ate ee ee ICN 21: 12
|e Ch 95 1 Los 11 cp ner nen RR SRO RT RE Ret MED 405: 90
406. 132
409. 260

Flies: see Diptera
Foodplants: see Dietary

aN yc cuba esbancboaceaullsahyaelenpeteesfooidoesunuedvbavessseciae 400: 129-30
407: 188-90
409. 270-2

MeN ARAMA RENCE BIN 8 ae a 3 Sasa cvs v2 sec pionss Su caet sing = se usandesentedeeotadlenes ICN 21: 8
Germany
“2 VEL ETE coonsddadebstssdsacoe dala SCHaCe He NpEe MAE gREBaE Sarin cre ABA Zt ennet WE nan Prem 404: 38
Ee DT SECEE TS L116 C0) 010 el 407: 191-3
Grasshopper: see Orthoptera
Greece
MA TR I cece vans aces cy acatencdeden ndeasedesuseisen! 404. 33-36
Re MEN ESM est eer sone Soa coe Tai vaaddeasnandslacaechatec aus sduces heasdiesoraatvasrsasdacaeedaaedae ICN 20: 5-7
MME Nereis cceniooecis dante ndecdosmnccbuncssoSursowesteosvnbsnsenseaeestneatdsassvenenss 400: 142
Hibernation
MMB emer a oe eet Fone acct oA ead a cuiesac ek ad aacan cid watedredigudcaceespenghveiser 408: 213-4
Hoverflies: see Diptera: Syrphidae
Hymenoptera
Ra MMLC PORNO errs RFC ON, 58 cei isa Dio deals srnaad va wsticdtnenutilswaéues dasa vaunevenes 405: 70
409. 249-53,
269
ae rt ANN PENI NS Ss utes Jeo Lau wssdacvSae isi aachdosdncasoudesssideneaieeshaveiencende’ 409. 263-4
RE MERLE CR EN he oe rao wacis daca soslaanncebadueodyadnciviuwbtabvexSoccauiessadhjaccc4esseaeiloass 408. 203-11
eee ENP NO a ohh sasha de hasnt oviiceloe vavcpisediae ethecage edeceeedeosurosenvewieuds 405: 96-97
MMAR NS BRAS OP LA 606) acc sos anelins nO owindadiente uvvadin die eandedvsleveidinedenadanense 404: 38
Insects
Pe NI 8 3.5 asinine dccaaunasatesandastiaawad oamdedand dou sentaatvansand¥e 404: 21, 27-28,
46
400: 105-21
a ea RR eo an ln oes ela ack le otaaises asdcdda ua wiavendausedacipos vaddeaeshedatelneddedes 405: 102
Invertebrate Conservation SOCICCY ...0000...0o occ cece cece ects eeeeteeeeetseees ICN 21: 3-4
MME MME gna. Ba ic ci Seehsad Sosa ass énsjsennsdaad wen sdvashdoenedind sos stinenwnoe ives 409. 256
ICN 20: 13
Japan
vO IPERS: neler a 404: 4-5, 13-14
J DED NT LE chee et Rae a oc 404. 3
Ladybirds: see Coleoptera, Coccinellidae
OREN S FDTD sdiccb gb ec ELDO Sane SE eae Eo = SS it 404: 44

ICN 19: 2, 8-9
408: 203-11
ICN 20: 3. 4-5

JSS

Lepidoptera

Biology:
Be AVA OUT assis Searce sels nec ae sate ae ee pa SS asa ee Sere 404: 2, 15
408: 216
409. 261-2
Camino allisiined iiss ceca ceo ee a Eng een EE 404. 23-24
FOOG plants 2) wseedecepeks reseeee eet sce eum cena pater ade ade tn cian Ree Nee tere 404. 30
4006: 128, 142
409. 287-9
PAID SRM ATOM fecc sskcisc Soe eacees es VARA RR eee ee or eee cag ged 408: 213-4
|B 12 Coreen mametin inn Caer esi miais ah Ae ean aT ace as Se Meh te rest Oe asus cana ower eer 404: 38
PARASILISIING irs fees ene sacan san sateaea ee seat aie eco c oe eS e tn Ca ne nen NI cee 405: 71-75
RE CORES ae sake cacao oa a ade eect a ete later BON seers RS a en OP 404. 14, 22,
36, 37-38
By area:
Camiboridges liner = tere eee eee ee eae es eee SP EE netic 400: 123-4
409. 265-8
(Ooh 0 Weeee ema Puta Ss aay oe murs A aR CG BE NSN AIAN AE aRR ey BSC ee 405. 67-70
COT fae eee cet alee Ud ae Sa a tas eg eee ae cea la a ae 407. 175-83
409: 254-5
Fn 1A hls rsa de oetee tatiana eae acl dae Meal a Sea a RC ag RRs care 404. 7-10, 24
37-38, 41,
47-48, 49
405: 55-56, 77
407. 170,
191-3,
194-5
408: 212, 231-2
233-4
409. 247, 248,
276-7
ICN 20: 10
GALLO Bac secs ees eR os ae Se ame at AEs Msc ee Se ag Rc 400: 129-30
407. 188-90
GOTTA Vie sc cac daca sage tate sae cae seems Cees ear Ne awning abc Ba eatin eaten Sean 404. 38
UE exci Cle aan ONAN OH RUNTIME ARIE cic) CA In ia Puan Sa forte RE Reto atte 404: 33-36
A ARN es Ses es van ecedeuak co atnnceheaeec ees ctiesaeen Cees ae seen Ure an tease oS Me Sa ee 404. 4-5, 13-14
Ree inte ten i Vt ar te eee ene NO Dae dither aera conte Sales) Pe Beet See 406: 124
TRAN CAS UME ees oe scion Saad un Mitene ele cee cerebro ca Rte CER eae gt onan 2 eae 409. 281-6
Net: Zadar sil ichcoi eer Sect cere ar ane GRE See IR RN eee CE ca 409. 274-6
Stil cata Gh I 3 olsen secs so dauntuc ae tec etm seg ee eae Ee a ed 405: 65-66
406: 141
SOMERSET Hie dic cdadars wee rine coded aed ons rerencanecGnihponc Wet ud GRIN sRneke an RR epee eee 4006: 105-21
SITET O1 20S) 01 by Rha a ane a PER De PE RTE, asco cH Mi a sae Peed chee” 4006: 121
Warley RR csesegaaices tae toe i ccs cg ARRAN ee 406: 124
Wate ATA EMAITALES secant sadanccencecacedencnaec ube taces RADAR cele Cee Rete En RAN een 409. 289-90
TITEL SS BATES 1 oi ssn Cae TA Ga Soe cnc RES EAR Set Ce ene 400: 133-4

407: 168-70

106

By Family:
LE CRE TIC IG. jodocsode a Boson uO EREC UBM CRE UGE enn TCnC Tea ene BEL erent i en er ER ete See 408: 233-4
SAUTE IVEIUIDS conotoce SSeconeOS GREE HEC COC MME BSEE Cocke Goce AME RCEI RECS ne nt Ei Stee ey earn en 404: 29
407: 184-5
409. 253; 277

SHINS CUAL. on saaatsacidencontad SeCaeA ONE RR ee ema aizee 0h nA oi Ie mA Sone aR Re 404: 29
Biology:
erccstale Tuvat Oh UU Time ce eet ts tle yn Sache) fic asid anes un See HN Haat sis hele etcahe clone ata nen clacton 404: 2, 15
408: 216
409. 261-2
CB Aantal OPTS Me Mer ne th eee ch Aad cet a dut cee inasiaaasieh acenbigueduvcmamaeesisies 404: 23-24
OY OIG [Os AMES PM ee ce ce chit eG usc, Lae cu meine eaveesea dae eeeen ech da dseeduvaceeesnewestnees 404: 30
409. 287-9
TSP CSI RAIG IA ce co labs su SeBORR DAG AE SERCH EH NMC e EE aR RIT ISS ics BRE ene aS OE ae 408: 213-4
LE TETEVE sso os0nsn0ennt be SoN Sec ROn OEIC Ee SEC EA CCAR RAT CREE BERR Rae ett es =a a ee a er em a 404: 38
[PEEPS SHUISIIN bs ananone cecodathds RRR BASE EE St eee Nn Pa ere ee ne eT OG a 405: 71-75
G16 HAL OLS PP TNCs ta a ee Seale eatibede tac Gattis chon dbeave 404, 14, 22,
36, 37-38
NUMER BIC Seem PO ssc Glas acp ces sculde oaks <naatoral swedish suatuioeueugnaguesasesdsudediainss 405: 56
MCN ANN LOMO LO DY 6 occ 2 dnc cb seins Scnnnasddeenacehtesdabookunsmbaciadnsecsassennasciis 404: 25-26
IIE) EV CUISS TD, oss ntidcniset Bas Os Rae SN ee Seam ern ene 2 A 408: 211
PYM MARA CONE ois 344 cance gsencsu sda ec’ sate wcsadaweadoo.sodutoueoes aseddeonsoenmecs 409. 2706-7
Moths: see Lepidoptera
i VEU D DSI Laos vocebdodede 60600 BGS REI ae ee ea eee 405: 59-60
New Zealand
Is OHS ko fab erly Me PHM een Gea gage sn 0k adbyvna abnanabeea eam Bers bébeiis ww wdeunn ode 409. 274-6
INSIGo BN 2 NRE RONNIE eet a re ic iis. vances aucuaoasenncunenaeceoconccamace sontieleatwosnncs 406: 131-2
Obituaries
Paid MOR ClPMMES he tr cs ie Oy ose sa 08d aca su odnsnitustunonandeordanuvslacenesatutagaiednoensuneraseneys ICN 19: 13
IMAGER DIENT, LEENNGSS é jssct aacae sana eA eM ERE ROU Aen ra inten gat ors Hie enn ey ICN 19: 13
alti Ios tn commit Camere denen aioe ote cauae ea atel 6. ccalba yeah d cans ovhcae me ucuapeouon neeamtermctaet 408: 214
COI ELE oa cnnid ay aci4 0 ye SMe Ae le EI RSE 2 SARs NT RE IR I eta te MO 404, 42
408: 215-6
Orthoptera
JENS. TSVAOUYE 338 oie Ube aR Gee a ee URE IND Ri ea Dn a a cee a O 404, 10
BIB UGTOOISAL sce’ le ea ore en a. Rg GR Se 405: 56
NAA SINMI LAC Erte ere et aca s Mec ck mo A aheay te UNO Ent Ne eats ro 404, 31-32
405: 79-82
SICIMMIEISEL ceo bak anand ict com eanee Gia Ace Ee Rae MBRR nen nee Her REPRE an ts Re RE oe Pe eee TEN GZ ok
SE UERT ISIS TS OY sh ae clade et gs NRO eR al ag Ee 405: 71-75

408: 199-202

Phasmidae: see Orthoptera, Phasmidae

M@ems — What's im A MaAMe? ccc... boiccccccccesceccesssecctesccssnssescctecgoccsdusvecsuenescenss 404: 32

Recording Schemes i008... ee eee 404. 36, 46
PRESS LVOS ooo oes se See SS Sct abies Lon sa sea eee De 406: 105-21
Scotland 653 aN ed cee. eee 405: 65-66
406: 141
409. 253, 277
SUMD AMON ie ooo. occ see Re oe Fe cae ae ne ee re 405: 79-82
Spain ees GON ee Ne, I ieee a A oe et ee eee 405: 59-60

409. 262

SUE VEY S650 os Ss ge soe as cos a echo Se RST ea ne 400: 142
Taxonomy es 6 2s eee een SO ees Sa See 2 eee 405: 67-70
United Arab Emirates 02000005. .c62...00 cise lesen ee i I 409. 256, 289
United States
Repid@pte na s-..2 6.52 sa toses sc tet es eee nag ee ec a 406: 133-4
407: 168-70
Wales) 555 e ee A oy ee ee ee 404: 36, 49
409. 286
Wasps: see Hymenoptera
Weather
Effect on Lepidoptera <..\ airs ober ee 408: 231

SPECIES INDEX

References are to articles mainly or solely about listed species; Species’ lists and passing
references have not been indexed.

ABST OD: SIRIUS. cools GCS BRSBEL SRS AE EEE REP E Sos: CERN ae Ee ee = a 408: 215-6
ADAMS WAGE isto 5§85 08 BBE OTE SEE oN Be Rs | a REE oa 404: 14
LTE IBGE! NIDA AELTIYS tao ata SEs ROA SRN AUP” PAS EON 409. 269
AUHCUG! GIDESHS wucinanethes te Sierra OER ie ASR CEE AEDS Se cee nee eT eae nnn em 404. 37-38
EZICUEAS FESSIUS condcinac 3 Oba du a AEECOS HE AGIOS O AaSH APE BeeNEEE BE OSL )=3 45 Esra See Ta 404, 31-32
ECU DECI: SCOR AIL! ecemoocsgne sbicace se 08 SAE Se BUCO GE ENDER oc 0) See PERERA CET EE he eer 404. 41
OSG (ECO IECID) weacbeadcpeee: dle dopUBy cocoa Age Ope DERE CREERE oc ac oc 40 oe EC Ree EEE EEE CET 408: 211
PISO ANDI OOULIES VELAUD cn on Siaclae Sosa SoBe ERE ERE SNERERT SLL ae: See eee eee Eee 409: 286
AAO AMAOIIUUTL Uae, Asie an cen Stuaninaiss at dc MOMMA Mccd Sod dnstasassnncaacecaceests 408: 216
ACNE ND cP Oy A eto) Sch stiles un ae NE on Sad ancened nngueesasenee’ 408: 216
OPI AMOOTIATOURAUUS 5.5 ten 8h dein becal a ntciinddeasiigs adie BE oacnnnctnesSvp ease veteu's 404: 10
CUVGISE! GSNET VE CITY si cg Be oe EOS aR PORES 60 ROE ee ee eee RE 407: 170
CME IIE: QRGIII se Wisi ean SA EEE CN OREO RAMEE CS? Or Pg en Crt cc eee eRe eae eee 409. 287-9
289-90
LGN LOGE, SUMDUGE seco eae ee SO eee OM te een Serene ree eee 407. 184-5
ZE-QBIA GOD» shacsaosssce: Se ee ee NRE ies Un ane 404: 33-36
ECRSIOUOS WEVUDLEG oss detcitteliioes Het NSAC BE EET ce REDE ARETE RRR REPRE RISB GC sc 80 SOE EECCREE aA CEE 405; 95
IME IIESMECICIICH TICIONCR «0-128. Gein cuccct onctnlnoc-veetiesehessceametiabinasarabunsmannct ss 404: 22
[PEE SOEG) NOTAG BIO TUS. eee NEA ee Ae ee Eee ek ec 407: 108-70
HOR DEAETON ES HOIIGUITIOS sane aera eee RNE EE Ee EEE eT ic ene neo ae ee 405: 95
HES SLOT SEPO ANE OUUIUS 0 nen Brahe dev etnccncce ed qnvelupuaadBeaenacste hecerscpideeaesveuabee 408: 212
LSIEUSORDES | DET GTIC colt wae aa Ie oR enc sR rn An 409. 247
Heteropteryx dilatata............. ST PEERED Rs or tel tie to. che een e epee oe se 4006: 122
WEA OAC SRO OCLC S Re ect h ne (a cteiN fetes te vinene sta tader ates UR ean Sa cates duet otaeasmnede 4055
OGTR) ME SRILOCEIILC Ae sr 2 il snes MPa a danke tube’, oo ca letnandsdedeoseovnuedes 404. 49
LPCUEOG (CODON asm dakota eter te cna Ob oc Mac aseee ono eRe ee Ee ee CEE 408: 199-202
TOM ISIGN SHO EOLA CUS Oe et e2 is 574. c eR es Ok oe op oh oe veins eigen nn dalncloamaatenalttles ICN 20: 9-10
MOE AAU PESHGEUUDUS He rs Am LM Corsa! fot et MONO Ne ei OES) cca Oidsecnnesvoeiaciorhieasonsee sadiledy 405: 60
CAM EAUD AVIA aS, Us. Goce shee dh os snd Mouse ow ii choca vuln one dadh nnd eben sasecneieec 409. 274-6
LE CSVESRIO BS ois 3 CSc RIS SERENE On AEE EEE SUE RCE AE c= NEI nr nent Coan 407. 194-5
Inns saeacenos door edo pe ane JOB UE HE ACRE G7 Ode. TOM MERIC EER En tea Meira aes eae A ae ria ae 408: 233-4
EGON ONSET SICIVALATELIID 7 Mere ne ania Senn hk « thehun sung sihdughitea Matec tot on ce eeue veh OSS WT.
GSCUD) QUID CUICIS EARS Bs seri Cii BNE a oles ee Ree PRE RS ELL OES hR, tah hora ene ene 408: 231-2
BAGO [IVIISKOCCH ALAC.) Wa giy Ness oi ie te etek der Sas aca roasts dono ot MebNeEn bal waa ates vee 408: 199-202
EVGED ODS CIS) Wee asd ee gnc ne mete Oe Sot Ee ne a eeeee ae ee 405: 66
DSNBOIS ONLUIS ics Ise etehceitap GASB Bee PUREE HAE CERES eR Pa St NO he 405: 66

nS)

400: 142
PPS SCUTTOUS Fosse: ors bd ian ty rae a golesee upsets vk dale od dc ee an oe ee ee 408: 212
PICVIS INANMUL cen Te Bide sane ae pine Sea ike dg Seong laese decode ager eee Ree cE ee 407: 175-83
409. 254-5
BP VADGE ate hau Or a aoe ee ee egg Need DT Gk 407: 167
Polistes Chinensts .. ote vin odes serae bo ans S eae eh oe eeas 5 ee 409. 263-4
Politesspechius:: spit cntation cue ie i te Gr te en ae Access SC 407. 168-70
PSCUGOPIEL PNG PLUINQhd GiVOPUNICLATIG: serene Ramee ee 4006: 121
QUCTCUSIG:GUCTCUS eit nse tr ae lena sears Caee SG ees steam 404: 49
409. 261-2
IRCAUUIUS: PETSONLALUS ae on I nets es a epee ne ee 404. 45-56
4006: 142
Seat tmnti la Siem yw tales as ticile aol. yeine on NiasOianed re naee unee ck eel ae ate ae ee 404. 29
SCOMODLCTY MIO QUININE ei aeons! duane ceuoadieecedteneae aeaate: tains dace eios ese ee eee 408: 213-4
SCSIASADUORINIS oii. Show ah Ss el bcsonten ons cy tice aibeyee, Gig AN ae 405: 66
SUM OPICTIS SPDs cee. iok cou date seed svel Mannocters cnet ae Bacehe vernon ea: tee tia ae ee 405: 67-70
SUP INONIGIA W=QlOUNT 558 cdc i csosnonhe Spe pace Ee ee 404: 49
VGILCSSGA GIA ATUG EO Reap Na sick ath eo SHU yo eps Uae Ds Pe ee 404. 3, 15
VESPA CHAONO i) de Garerdenssars Stasaeel tok ainda ay ecco ale oe .. 409: 259-53

Printed in England by
Cravitz Printing Company Limited, 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA.

S
°
S

<
SY ad
q
<=
=

@
=
<<

Founded in 1935

Where to write
For all Society business, please write to:
AES

PO. Box 8774
London SW7 5ZG

Officers of the Society

President: Rob Dyke
Secretary: Wayne Jarvis
Treasurer: Andrew Locke
Registrar: | Mark Colvin
Bulletin Editor: | Wayne Jarvis
General Editor: | Mike Bonsall
Advertising Secretary: Rob Dyke

Exhibition Secretary:
Youth Secretary:
ICN Editor:

Wants & Exchange:

Habitat Conservation Officer:

Roy McCormick
Darren Mann
David Lonsdale
Caroline Willmot

Martin Harvey

Subscriptions:

Advertising Rate:

First subscription (including entrance fee) £12, or £8 under
18. Renewals £10 or £6 under 18. Overseas members £12.
Subcription due by the 1st January each year.

The following charges apply to adverts in the body of the
Bulletin. Full page £60, Half page £40, Quarter page £25.
Insert charges available on request to Advertising Secretary,
address as above.

NOTICE

It is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or theories, expressed in the pages of this Journal are solely
those of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, financial grants offered or sought, requests for help or
information, are accepted as bona fide. Neither the Editor, the Officers and Council of the Society, nor its Trustees, can
be held responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that might be sustained by reliance thereon.

These and many
other species are
listed in our
current
CATALOGUES:
of livestock and
specimens.

asé send 50p.in
fips and mention
‘the AES.

Coscinocera
hercules

Worldwide
Butterflies

Sherborne, Dorset DT9 4QN.
Ornithoptera goliath Tel 01935 74608 Fax 29937

BUTTERFLY
CONNECTIONS BUTTERFLY

LIVESTOCK Antiquarian, Secondhand and New Titles

Butterflies, Moths, stick Insects Widest selection of old and new books about
PAPERED & SET SPECIMENS butterflies, moths, dragonflies, beetles and other
ENTOMOLOGICAL EQUIPMENT insects.

AVAILABLE NOW AND
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

CATALOGUE 1996

Free on request

Write or telephone for latest FREE catalogue.

Collections and individual items brought.

DAVID DUNBAR

31 LLANVANOR ROAD,
“Caribana’’, Silver Street, Misterton, LONDON NW22AR

Somerset TA18 8NH, England & 0181 455 9612
Tel: (01460) 73586
Fax: (01460) 78444

Postal business — callers by appointment welcome

Announcing an important new publication:

ee trop Os

Don't stay in the dark, subscribe now and see the light.
The first bi-annual issue is due in May 1996; containing features on, among others, the
1995 influxes of Camberwell Beauty and Monarch butterflies; identification of Tunbridge
Wells Gem and Radford's Flame Shoulder and much, much more. The annual
subscription is just £10. Please make cheques payable to Atropos and return together with
your name and address: Afropos, 36 Tinker Lane, Meltham, Huddersfield, West Yorks
HD7 3EX.

E.W. CLASSEY LTD

ENT.OMOLOGICAL BOOKS BY MAIL SINCE 1949

Antiquarian, second-hand and New books
Special offers and forthcoming book news
Booksearch service. Please send your “wants” list
Regular free catalogues and specialist lists

Books bought

Valuations

Oxford House,

Marlborough Street,
Faringdon,

Oxon SN7 7DR UK

Tel. 01367 244700 ~—- Fax. 01367 244800

Our Faringdon shop has a large stock of Entomological & Natural History books and prints

\\\

WS. \\
Da \

PRINTING
COMPANY LIMITED

ay
a)
po

Zig) |
(LG 1 Tower Hill,
ae || Brentwood,
Essex CM14 4TA.
. cS u Tel: (01277) 224610
As ee ee AEN eee fax: (01277) 262815

Bache? 7 <
NY sf} a

1996 Members' Day and AGM
to be held at the

Royal Entomological Society,

41 Queen's Gate, London SW7.

on Saturday 20th April 1996.

Doors will open for coffee at 10am

and the day begins with a talk at 10.30am.

The AGM will take place at 2.30pm.

Members are encouraged to attend the day, you are welcom bri
specimens for identification if you so desire, and Council members will
during the day to answer any questions that you m
or entomology in general. For further details, plea
with this Bulletin or telephone 01582 486779.

See |
ay f

se refer to t

The cover of this issue of the
Bulletin depicts the Brimstone

butterfly (Gonepteryx rhamni).

sruary 1996

BSSN 266-8 SX

Ecitiars Wayne frase BSc

Photo: Nick Holford

ae the Ape ateae Prtamolocists: Saclety
Volume 55 *° Number 404 February 1996
Le a
26 FEB 1990

PR iESENT cu

| ENTOMOLOGY LIBRAI

|
|

f
H

Editorial

Well, at long last, after months of work, the new look Bulletin is finally
here. I hope that you find it an improvement on our previous format. I
must thank everyone who has been involved with the preparation,
especially all at Cravitz Printing, the Nature Conservation Bureau and
Nick Holford, who has kindly provided the photographs for the front of
the first few issues. As always, I am interested to hear your views,
whether they be good or bad, and any suggestions on how we can
improve our publication still further are always welcome.

Another change that you may have already noticed is the Society's
new central address for correspondence. This is so the Society has a
base for all its mail for many years to come rather than having
addresses change as Council members move. I must thank the Royal
Entomological Society of London for their help in establishing this new
address. It would greatly help if members would now begin to use the
new address for all matters, but particularly for secretarial and Bulletin
matters, as I have moved since the publication of December's issue.

The 1996 Members' Day and AGM is almost upon us again, and this
year it will be held in the rooms of the Royal Entomological Society on
Saturday 20th April. Doors will open for coffee at 10am and the day
begins with a talk at 10.30am. The AGM will take place at 2.30pm.
Members are encouraged to attend the day, you are welcome to bring
along any specimens for identification if you so desire, and Council
members will be around during the day to answer any questions that
you may have regarding the Society or entomology in general. For
further details, please refer to the insert included with this Bulletin or
contact me on 01582 486779.

This issue of the Bulletin is slightly larger than usual (I'm sure you
won't mind!) to accomodate both JCNand a Junior Section, the first for
some time. We are aware that we need to promote entomology to the
younger generation, and the Society is currently looking into this matter

2 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a

in some detail. However, the most obvious way is to begin by including
more Junior Sections, which requires members to write articles for
them. It is rare for us to receive Junior articles from senior members,
who with their wealth of knowledge may like to pass on some tips to
our younger colleagues. If so write and tell me!

I hope to meet at least some of you at the Members' Day, and wish
you an enjoyable year of entomology.

Wayne Jarvis

Red admirals and washing lines
by Mike Pennington (9799)
9° Daisy Park, Baltasound, Unst, Shetland ZE2 9FA.

The Red admiral Vanessa atalanta is an annual migrant in Shetland,
numbers rarely exceed 100 in a year, although we have had a good run
of records in recent years. Most records involve butterflies seen in the
normal way, flying around in sunshine or nectaring at flowers.
However, the butterfly seems to be regularly recorded amongst washing
out on the line! Of at least 100 seen on the island of Unst in the last few
years only about seven or eight recordings have involved such
circumstances, but it still seems to be a regular habit. Insects always
seem to be found amongst washing in the late afternoon or early
evening. Some are flushed from the washing as it is brought in, others
only emerge after being brought indoors and in one case the poor
beast was tumble-dried to death before it was discovered. No other
species have been recorded in similar circumstances, although only the
Large white Pieris brassicae and the Painted lady Cynthia cardui are
regularly recorded in the islands.

The time of day and lethargy of the butterflies suggest that they were
seeking roost sites for the night but overall more questions are raised
than I can answer. Are the butterflies roosting or if not what are they
doing? Why are the butterflies roosting in washing? Are they attracted
by chemicals in the washing powder or conditioner? Is the habit
restricted to Shetland or is it recorded elsewhere? Why is it only Red
admirals that are recorded? The only thing I would tend to rule out at
the moment is that butterflies are attracted by colour, as they are just as
often found amongst blue jeans as bright clothes.

Has anyone else recorded this habit or can anyone shed some light
on the subject?

a Volume 55 « February 1996 3

I would imagine that some members of the Society had thought that the
Honorary Youth Secretary and the Junior Section of the Bulletin had
ceased to be! Well, that is not the case. Since the publication of the last
Junior Section we have been very busy, having held three field weeks
and two field weekends, the written accounts of which I hope to be
able to publish in a future Bulletin. It's the same old reason for the
omission of Junior Sections, that is, the lack of articles by, and for,
junior members. Once again I find myself pleading with the members
for suitable articles for this section. It is for your benefit, so please put
pen to paper.

It could be said that 1995 was the year of the AES field week. Not
only have we had a two-week trip in Devon, five days in Abergavenny
and two field weekends in London, but we also have a range of new
equipment. In the early part of 1995 the AES Council agreed to
purchase a selection of field equipment for use by juniors on field
weeks. This included hand nets, sweep nets, water nets, beating trays,
pooters, specimen tubes, Malaise trap, moth trap and a generator. I
would like to express my sincere thanks and those of the juniors who
have so far benefited from this equipment to the AES Council. I would
also like to thank Watkins and Doncaster, Marris House Nets and G.B.
Nets for the kind reductions in equipment charges they made for us. So
you juniors who thought that field trips would be boring due to lack of
equipment now have no excuse not to attend. Those juniors, or
sons/daughters of any member, who are interested in attending Field
weeks, please let me know (address at front of Bulletin), so that details
of the 1996 trips can be sent to you as soon as they become available.
Also keep an eye on the Wants & Exchange list for forthcoming events.

i...

4 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Butterflies of my area

by Sotaro Sato (9673J)

3-207 Kikuna Hts, 3160-6 Mamedo-cho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan.
During 1994, continuing on from 1993, my friends and I (the Kikuna
Entomology Group) undertook a survey on the butterflies of our area
(Kikuna and Ohkurayama, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama City, Japan). This

area is particularly rich in wildlife, but we have tried our best to record
as many species of butterfly as possible.

As many Japanese people think it strange to see someone of my age
(17) collecting butterflies alone i.e. without anyone of say ten years old,
I found my excursions quite embarrassing. It is quite a common thing
to see parents, especially fathers', taking their children out to catch
cicadas or butterflies. Children in our area tend to prefer the former.

Now back to butterflies; what we had found in 1994 are shown
below, and some are illustrated in Plates 956A and 96B.

Swallowtail Papilio machaon hippocrates C. and R. Felder. Papilionidae
Xuthus swallowtail Papilio xuthus (Linnaeus)

P. protenor demetrius Stoll

Common bluebottle Graphium sarpedon nipponum Fruhstorfer
Common grass yellow Eurema hecabe hecabe Linnaeus. Pieridae
Colias erate poliographus Motchulsky

Anthocaris scolymus Butler

Small white Pieris rapae crucivora Boisduval

P. melete Ménétries

Curetis acuta paracuta de Niceville. Lycaenidae

Narathura japonica japonica (Murray)

Small copper Lycaena phlaeas daimio (Matsumura)

Long-tailed blue Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus)

Pseudozizeeria maha argia (Menetries)

Short-tailed blue Everes argiades argiades Pallas

Holly blue Celastrina agriolus ladonides (de \'Orza)

Neptis sappho intermedia W.B. Pryer. Nymphalidae

Polygonia c-aureum (Linnaeus)

Vanessa indica indica (Herbst)

to] Volume 55 « February 1996 5

Painted lady Cynthia cardui (Linnaeus)
Kaniska canace nojaponicum (Siebold)
Ypthima argus argus Butler.

Lethe sicelis (Hewitson)

Neope goschkevitshii (Ménétries)

Mycalesis gotama fulginia Hewitson

Daimio tethys tethys (Ménétries). Hesperiidae
Potanthus flavus flavus (Murray)

Pelopidas mathias oberthueri Evans

Parnara guttata guttata (Bremer and Grey)

During 1994, despite the very warm weather, the Small white was
very slow in appearing. Also due to habitat destruction, the Small
copper has gone through terrible decline. All the rest have either stayed
the same or increased, some tremendously.

This is the result of the survey done by the whole group. I personally
surveyed a smaller area and had quite pleasing results. Please contact
me for further information on the survey or on the group.

The AES goes on Telly
by Darren Mann (8181)

Those of you who watch children's television will know of the Really
Wild Guide to Britain, a BBC magazine-type programme, exploring
events and societies that are available to young people. Last year the
AES was contacted about appearing on this show, to give an idea of
what the hobby of entomology was all about and how young people
could become involved. The day started in the bedroom of Joe Parker
(Plate 96C, Fig. 5) who has been attending AES camps for some years,
and was a suitable “star” since he has a large collection of preserved
insects (mostly beetles) and some livestock, but mostly because he's a good
communicator (got a big mouth!). So Joe, research people, a small camera
crew, the presenter of the programme and myself all squeezed in between
Joe's bed and bookshelf. Joe then went through some of his collection,
talking a littke about the species he had collected. He then went through
the processes of identifying insects using his microscope and the relevant
books. I believe the idea behind this was to show what the enthusiast gets
up to at home.

6 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3

The next stage was to film junior members doing fieldwork. I had
written to several members within the region to see if they were
interested in coming along to a site in South Wales to collect some
insects and become “TV stars”. Three members, Mandy Grey, Chris
Collins and Adam Muncer agreed to join Joe. Kenfig Burrows NNR is a
large sand dune system near Port Talbot which is owned and managed
by Mid-Glamorgan County Council, the warden Steve Moon helped out
with areas on the site to visit and also provided us with a moth trap for
later. Unfortunately the weather was against us, so coats were essential,
although this did not stop us from collecting.

We began by showing the presenter how we used sweep nets and
beating trays, and although we did not catch much, we found enough
insects to keep us occupied and the cameraman happy (Plate 96C,
Fig. 6). We then went over to Kenfig pool, where we took samples
from the margin using water nets. This proved to be quite successful —
we had a good selection of water beetles, water boatmen and a few
backswimmers.

Later that evening, we set up the mercury vapour moth trap close to
the Kenfig visitors! centre, this being the only source of electricity for
the trap. This was the most gruelling part of the day, as we were all
getting tired, cold and even wetter. However, the moths did not let us
down, and within a few minutes of the trap going on the moths began
to arrive in the trap, which took our minds off the cold (for a while
anyway). We were then filmed watching the moths coming into the
trap. At the end the juniors had to lie on their backs around the trap
with sunglasses on staring upwards at the moths spiralling into the trap,
which looked very funny from where I was standing. Overall, it was an
entertaining day, although rather exhausting, and even if we did not
catch large numbers of insects, we all learnt some
of the things that go on behind

the. SCenes seta * iV

programme. Children's telly

will never seem the same
again.” Sin€G. Amen. boss
programme has been shown
twice and has generated a large
amount of interest in the AES. So
thanks to Joe, Adam, Mandy and Chris the
AES has had national exposure on TV,
which has resulted in a number of new
members.

> Volume 55 + February 1996 7

Butterflies of the London suburbs
from July to August 1993

by Sotaro Sato (9673])

3-207 Kikuna Hts, 316-6 Mamedo-cho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan.

I moved from England to Japan in 1992. What I really wanted to do
was to stay in England to study more about the British fauna, as I had
only started to look closely at insects during 1992. Time, however, did
not allow for this.

I was pleased when I knew that my family would be able to visit
England during the summer of 1993. I informed one of my friends, who
is also interested in insects, about this and he was also interested in
coming. The date: 19th July to 10th August. The place: London borough
of Barnet.

Three weeks is not really long enough for doing a lot of entomology,
but at least I could go...

I had already recorded these butterflies in the London Borough of
Barnet:

Large white Pieris brassicae L.

Small white Pieris rapae L.

Green-veined white Pieris napi L.

Orange tip Anthocharis cardamines L.

Small tortoiseshell Ag/ais urticae L.

Peacock Inachis io L.

Red admiral Vanessa atalanta L.

Comma Polygonia c-album L.

Meadow brown Maniola jurtina L.

Gatekeeper or Hedge brown Pyronia tithonus L.

Speckled wood Pararge aegeria tircis L.

Holly blue Celastrina argiolus Rott.

Small copper Lycaena phlaeas L.

and also an unconfirmed Painted lady Cynthia cardui L.

The first site we visited was the car park of a supermarket in
Totteridge. I had previously (summer 1992) recorded some Red
admirals, Peacocks, Large whites and Gatekeepers there. Unfortunately,
27th July turned out to be a rainy day. We found one Large white, and
that was all. We then moved to the nearby Totteridge and Whetstone
station as it had stopped raining. Still nothing there. But close by there
was a park (Brook Farm Open Space) where I had not been insect
collecting before. There was an area of tall grass which looked quite

Weer

8 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society td

undisturbed and productive. There was also a stream running nearby
called Dollis Brook. We found Gatekeepers, a Speckled wood, Essex
skippers (Thymelicus lineola Ochs. a new species to add to my list),
and Large whites. |

The second site we visited was Windsor Open Space located in
Holders Hill, Hendon. This open space was actually found by accident
while we were driving around the area, and therefore was totally
unplanned. At first sight, we thought that this area looked like a “moth-
place” rather than a “butterfly-place”, and that seemed to be quite true,
but my friend and I were more interested in butterflies at the time. I did
not expect much from this place, but we went anyway.

What I expected to see were Large and Small whites and maybe
some Gatekeepers, but it turned out to be a much better place than
that.

As we were staying near the place, we walked. The date: 30th July, a
warm, sunny day with a medium strong wind.

On the way there, we saw Large whites on the wing. We then found
a butterfly bush (Buddleia sp.) planted in a front garden of a house
near the park. I stopped to look at it and to see what could be feeding
on it. To my surprise, I found myself staring straight at a Peacock
butterfly! The butterfly was wise enough to escape onto the roof of the
house at the sight of my net, far out of our reach. It stayed there for the
rest of the day.

We headed for the park. Suddenly, we saw a large black thing cross
in front of our eyes. Another Peacock, but it was too late. At least we
knew they were there.

Now actually in the park, we looked for something other than
Peacocks. As we had expected, Gatekeepers, Large and Small whites
appeared. We found more Peacocks in a large nettle bed, also Commas
and Red admirals nearby.

There is a stream (Dollis Brook again) running through the park. We
crossed it by a small bridge. We looked right and left. We saw a path
leading through an area of tall grass on the left and went that way. This
proved to be the correct way. Speckled woods were found in
abundance; tens and probably hundreds. Almost everywhere we
looked, there was one. Also abundant was the Green-veined white. We
saw nothing else from then on. The park seemed to_be much larger
than we thought, although it was just long and thin on the map. We
took a few photographs and turned back towards home. Before we left
the area of the park, two girls (both strangers) questioned me about
why I liked butterflies, and what I liked about them, and then they

Fr cmt ah a

to Volume 55 « February 1996 9

asked if they could borrow a net “because they wanted to help me
catch them”. I would not let them borrow my kite-net, but I had a
spring-framed net in my bag which I let them have as there seemed to
be no harm in doing so. But once I let them have it they would not
give it back. Instead they gave me moths and even unexpectedly, a
Comma. Also, my friend who insisted on staying, kept me back.

The third site was Parkside Farm, a “Pick-Your-Own” farm in Hadley
Wood, Hertfordshire which we visited on 31st July. The weather was
sunny with some cloud cover. We were able to get permission to
collect while my family picked berries, beans and the like. I had
previously recorded Large and Small whites, Small tortoiseshells,
Meadow browns, Gatekeepers and an unconfirmed Painted lady, but
this place is also quite good for collecting Orthoptera (Roesel's bush
crickets Metrioptera roeselii and Common field grasshoppers
Chorthippus brunneus).

This time we found Large, Small and Green-veined whites, Small
tortoiseshells, Peacocks, Commas, Meadow browns, Gatekeepers,
Speckled woods, a Common blue (Polyommatus icarus Rott.), Small
skippers (Thymelicus sylvestris Brinnich), and Essex skippers.
Particularly abundant were Green-veined whites, Peacocks, Meadow
browns, Gatekeepers and Essex skippers. That gave me two more to
add to my list.

On Ist August we went again to Windsor Open Space. Again we
found Speckled woods, Large, Small and Green-veined whites,
Peacocks and Commas. This time we found that the walk beside the
brook (the “park”) has a long extension with one end at Hampstead
Garden Suburb in Hampstead, London, which actually has nothing to
do with the brook, and the other at Woodside Park, London. The actual
end of the brook is at Brent Reservoir in West Hendon. This means that
the “park” is a few miles long, and the bushy area in Totteridge is
actually a part of it! 3

On 2nd August, we visited Arnos Park in Arnos Grove, London. It
was cloudy with some sunshine and rain at times, and windy (what a
day!). We found Meadow browns in abundance, but nothing else. I had
recorded Orange tips in the nearby areas, but we came a little too late
for them. We ignored the stream that ran through it (this time, not
Dollis). We also found an extension to the park as Waterfall Walk.
Despite its name, this has nothing to do with a waterfall, but is only a
small walk beside Pymme’s Brook, another long brook. This we found
rather fruitful. Meadow browns, Gatekeepers, Green-veined whites,
Speckled woods, a Common blue and a Small skipper. Here we found
that all Green-veined whites stayed around nettles. Does anybody
know why?

10 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a6

The last four days were spent on other things apart from entomology.

Looking back on these few days, I regret not having visited Trent
Country Park. Maybe some other day I will have a chance to visit it.

For more information, if the need arises (quite unlikely?), please
contact me by fax Japan 045-434-3153) or by mail (address at the
beginning of the article). 7

Unusual mating behaviour in grasshoppers

by Sotaro Sato (9673J)

3-207 Kikuna Hts, 3160-6 Mamedo-cho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan.

On reading an article in the June 1994 Bulletin (53:107, 108) by W. J.
Tennent, I was prompted to write an article about a case in August
1991 when a Meadow grasshopper (Chorthippus parallelus) male and a
Lesser marsh grasshopper (C. albomarginatus) female mated.

I had caught some Common field grasshoppers and Roesel’s bush
crickets (Metriopetera roeselii) at Monken Hadley Common in Barnet,
Herts, and one Lesser marsh grasshopper female in Mill Hill, London,
and was keeping them all in one aquarium tank with soil and grass,
when a stridulating male took hold of a Lesser marsh female which
happened to pass by and mated, despite the presence of Meadow
females. The female showed little sign of refusal. They remained
together for some time.

A few days later, the female showed ovipositing behaviour but no
ova were found.

4 Volume 55 « February 1996 11

Mosquito larvae

by Anastasia Korycinska (9577])

17 Pitcullen Terrace, Perth PH2 7EQ.

Approximately 50 mosquito larvae hatched out from the 19th to the
20th July 1994. They were kept in a container, which had an
approximate capacity of 130 cubic centimetres, with their food being a
hay infusion, dried bread and dead flies.

As anyone who has watched them will know, a sudden movement
above the water surface will send all the larvae diving, and it takes up
to 30 seconds for them all to return to the surface, and sometimes
longer.

One larva was in a separate container, being drawn, when I noticed
that it did not dive when I reached over to fetch a pencil. This made
me start experimenting.

The smaller container for isolating the larvae was closest to the light,
with the larger container containing all the others directly behind,
almost touching the first. A third container, for keeping separate the
larvae that had been experimented upon, was on the other side of the
table.

For an object to use for starting the diving, my hand or a paperback
book worked well. One of these was moved over the first two
containers (at a distance of roughly five centimetres above the water
surface), from the source of light, over the smaller then the larger
container. If no larvae dived in the main container, then that trial was
not counted.

I also tried breaking the surface of the water with the end of a
paintbrush, expecting that the solitary larva would dive. It did not.
When this was tried in the main container, they all dived every time.

The experiments were done from the 30th July until the 6th August
1994. In each batch of larvae, a random series of breaking the surface
and passing an object over was used, each adding up to twenty at the
end.

For one larva, on average it dived once in ten times for an object
passing over, and once in five for something breaking the surface of the
water.

For two larvae, they dived about half the time for passing over, and
about nineteen times in twenty, or most of the time, to an object
breaking the surface.

12 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36

Complete experiment results
All figures in tables represent the number of larvae observed out of a total of 20.

ONE LARVA TWO LARVAE

Object passing Object breaking Object passing Object breaking
over surface over surface

Dive No dive Dive No dive

THREE LARVAE FOUR LARVAE

Object passing Object breaking Object passing Object breaking
over surface over surface

ad Volume 55 * February 1996 13

With one or two larvae being isolated, I could keep them apart until I
had finished with the experiments on that number, but when it
increased to three and four larvae, then I had to return some to the
main container, or I would have inadequate control, as there were ten
experiments for each number of larvae.

The results for three larvae at a time were that their response for
breaking the surface of the water was the same as the main container,
or they dived twenty times in twenty. For an object passing over, the
response was a bit higher, as they dived thirteen times in twenty, on
average. For four larvae, their response was exactly the same as the
control, bar one time in one of the trials for passing an object over.

This suggests that the reaction of mosquito larvae to something
overhead is a chain, maybe each larva reacting slightly until enough are
convinced that the danger is real, these then dive, and are followed
almost instantaneously by the rest.

If anyone has any alternative theories, perhaps they could write to me.

Collecting moths in the suburbs of Yokohama, Japan
by Sotaro Sato (9673])

3-207 Kikuna Hts, 316-6 Mamedo-cho, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama City, Kanagawa, Japan.

Moth collecting in the suburbs of Japan tends to be more difficult than
collecting moths in the suburban areas of Britain. This is due to it being
more built-up (flats, office blocks, houses efc.) than the suburbs in
Britain. There is also a lack of space in those areas. This results in the
houses being more closely packed, making small or no garden areas
with little or no vegetation. This will inevitably result in moths and
indeed many insects losing their habitat. Also the air tends to be much
more poiluted.

Therefore, if you were to try collecting moths in one of the small
gardens you would end up with more flies and cockroaches (not
welcomed by most cooking mothers) than moths, and the number of
species would be very limited, and anyway, there is often not even
enough room for light traps, the buildings surrounding them will make
them useless.

But there is an unexpected solution: the flats. These act as giant light
traps. It always amazes me to see how many moths the fluorescent
lighting on flats attracts. Indeed, most of my best records come from
flats — not friends' houses.

But unfortunately even then there is a problem which cannot be
overcome: it is both ill-mannered and dangerous to collect too late at
night, and lights turn out just past midnight.

14 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society Lf

Nevertheless, I have tried my best. As I live in a block of flats, as
many do in the suburbs, I have started with my own block. It is
probably less ill-mannered and dangerous to walk just a few metres
around one's own block of flats than to do the same around others.

So far (by the end of April 1995) I have collected one hundred and
eleven species including the day-flyers. These include one
Yponomeutid, twenty-five Pyralids, five Tortrices, one Pterophorid, one
Zygaenid, one Ctenuchiid, one Heterogeneid, one Arctiid, three
Lymantriids, six Sphingids, twenty-seven Noctuids, two Notodontids,
twenty-four Geometrids and thirteen yet to be identified.

Small tortoiseshell in early February
by Ben Phalan (10160))

Waterfall Road, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

At about 2.50pm on 3rd February 1995, I was returning from a short
walk along the Dargie river near my home in Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow.
On my way up a more or less south-west-sloping field, I was surprised
to see a butterfly flit past. Despite the unseasonal sun and warmth of
the day, it must be unusual to see one out so early in the year.

It turned out to be a Small tortoiseshell (Agi/ais urticae). It was quite
active, flitting around and then settling on the grass to bask in the sun. I
took several pictures of it, but unfortunately the results were
disappointing. When I nudged the insect with my finger, it crawled
onto it, which a butterfly wouldn't normally do. This would seem to
indicate that it was still a bit sluggish after its long hibernation.

The weather was, as mentioned above, unusually mild for that time
of year. It had been sunny all day, and no doubt it was this warmth that
had brought the butterfly out from hibernation. For the record, I
present weather reports from Dublin airport covering the three days up
to, and including, the date of observation, in Table 1.

Table 1. Weather records for 1st-3rd February 1995 (Dublin Airport).

Temperature (C) Pressure Rainfall
Date maximum minimum noon average* average* total
ist Feb. 8.7 2.6 7.9 6.1 1008.8 1.4mm
2nd Feb. 9.1 -2.0 75 6.8 1021.2 trace
3rd Feb. 10.9 7.4 10.4 94 1016.9 0.1mm
“Averages are calculated from readings taken at 9am, 12 noon, 3pm and 6pm.

Zé Volume 55 * February 1996 15

Red admiral attracted to pale blue jeans

by Ben Phalan (10160J)

Waterfall Road, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

On Ist July 1994, in a small wood near Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, a Red
admiral (Vanessa atalanta) landed repeatedly on my pale blue jeans. |
was standing in a fairly small patch of sun between the trees, and my
trousers were the lightest surface there. It seems likely that the butterfly
was attracted to the pale colour because it indicated a sunny spot for
basking in.

I managed to take a photograph of the butterfly perched on my
knee. This involved moving slowly into an awkward crouching
position, in order to position the camera a few inches from the insect
on my knee! Fortunately it wasn't disturbed from its sunbathing, and
you can see the result of my contortions in figure 1.

Fig. 1. Red admiral, Vanessa atalanta.

| ae

16 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society Se

The great Australian adventure
by Mark Johnson (3464))

54 Airedale Road, South Ealing, London W5 4SD.

On 31st March 1994, at 9.45am, my mother and I left Heathrow for the
other side of the World. I was going to visit my brother and young
niece in Australia, and it was to prove rewarding socially and
entomologically.

The flight took 36 hours. We were fortunate to see the villages of
Pakistan as the evening drew on. We flew across India to Rangoon and
early on Thursday morning we touched down at Bangkok. We had a
choice; stay on board or stroll round the airport for an hour. We chose
the latter.

It was enlightening to see all the different goods on view. I bought a
preserved specimen of the black and brown scarabnid beetle Eupatorus
gracillicornus for $8.40, which I thought a reasonable price.

We continued our journey, flying over Kuala Lumpur, the South
China Sea, Bali and, at last, the Northern Territory of Australia. It took
another three hours to reach Sydney before another hour's flight to
Melbourne.

The next day we spent most of our time walking around the
botanical gardens, which are very pleasant; the flowers so exotic and
the way the whole garden is displayed makes it photogenic. It is no
wonder that Victoria is known as the Garden State.

That night on the patio, I saw, near the wall light, a lovely dark green
moth which I reckon was similar to our European Hippardus species.
Also there was a grey moth with yellow underwings with black
markings. There was a black and white moth with two black circles on
each hind wing which looked like a face when its wings opened.

The next day I investigated the flora and fauna. There was a small
black garden ant about 5mm long. My niece, Katherine, caught a baby
skink, grey in colour with a reddish bronze head. I found three black
weevils in the pool. In the evening one can listen to the cicada with its
whirring sound, but not a patch on the warbling of the Australian
magpie.

The next day we went back to the city to visit the Museum of
Victoria. There was an exhibition on called “Gargantuans in the
Garden” focussing on insects. It was very well done. There was an
animated mosquito, dung beetle, cicada and the best, an animated

a Volume 55 ° February 1996 1/7

praying mantis. There was also a colony of bull ants Myrmecia
nigricaps in a special aquarium which allowed one to see them moving
through their tunnels, and another display showing bees on the
honeycombs. The museum also houses a fine collection of manuscripts
and items from the 1920s and 1930s as well as models of different
canoes used by the aborigines.

Back home that afternoon, I strolled along Dandenong Creek, a
linear public park, and found a small frog under a clod of earth. Sitting
on logs arranged to form tables and seats we saw the willie wagtail
performing its territorial dance. This is a small black and white bird and
its dance involves hopping from one point to another on the ground in
a wide circle, then flying to a high perch, all the time wagging its tail
from side to side.

From the creek one can see the Dandenong Ranges, where lives
sculptor William Rickets who has turned his hilly home into a
sanctuary. In his 90s he is still going strong. His works, mainly of
Aborigines are set among the trees. It's a cool shady place to be on a
hot day, watching brightly coloured rosellas flitting through the trees,
and listening to the kookaburra's strange laugh. Ricketts, known as
Brother Billie to Aborigines, bases his art on their beliefs that to get
back to Alchira or Gondwanaland, where the first living creatures
appeared 345 million years ago, is to be at one with nature, with the
forest spirits and rippling waters of the creeks. One can feel this when
walking through his sanctuary.

The Dandenongs are full of hamlets, parks and walks which take you
into forested areas untouched for years. Near Olinda as we left the car
and set off for a waterfall I was lucky to see a new specimen on a leaf
stem for my collection. It was the chrysomelid Eulinca vitatta.

Back home that night lots of different insects alighted on the outside
wall, including a green thornbug and an elaterid, small and brown
which I later identified as an Agrypnus sp.

There was the brown cerambycid, similar to Caresium mijberci. It is a
small, long thin beetle with brown elytra. It also has long antennae for
ESESIZE.

It is autumn down-under at this time of year. The sky is blue, there
are mares! tails up there slowly changing colour as evening approaches.
The chorus is lovely to hear; even the pigeons sound different. When
night falls, the moonlight is sufficient to read by and then the night life
appears again.

18 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3

There was a black and white moth with red spots, a small weevil
which escaped and a red melonthine beetle, Halonycha irridpennis
Flanch. Katherine found a large green grasshopper with red eyes.

Next day, bright and early, it was back to the city and the Nature
Company of Australia which sold fossils of all sorts, butterflies and
beetles, ranging in price from $28 to $80, far better prices than in
Bangkok. Melbourne is built by Port Phillip Bay so it was natural to go
on to the seaside. Sandy beaches were a conchologist's paradise.

With so many strange creatures around my brother borrowed a book
from the library to help me out. There I found that the white butterfly
which I'd seen a day or so earlier was the Lemon migrant Catopsilia
pomona.

The small black ant belonged to the Pomerina and is most frequently
seen, apart rom the the big bull ant. I believe it belongs to the genus
know as Carapachys. The small reddish ant was the Rhytidoponera
victoria.

Melbourne, capital of the Garden State, abounds in parks. In the
Fitzroy Gardens, behind State Parliament, is Captain Cook's cottage,
shipped there from the UK some years ago. There is also a model
Tudor village sent by Lambeth community in thanks for Australian
shipments of food during World War II. The gardens also house a
conservatory containing a beautiful display of rainforest plants and
orchids and an aviary.

A visit to Victoria is not complete without a trip to Ballarat, home of
the Eureka Stockade battle of 1854 in which miners went on strike and
raised the flag of the Southern Cross in rebellion against the
government for imposing a 10$ mining tax. The miners lost, but the
fight went down in history. Ballarat has created Sovereign Hill, a living
museum of the gold fields of the last century where visitors can pan for
gold, and lucky people will find a speck or two in the gravel.

Ballarat is about 100km west of Melbourne. About as far to the east is
Healesville sanctuary, home to native wild animals and birds. The
sanctuary is laid out for the benefit of the inhabitants. People walk
through the various aviaries and open areas and can almost touch some
of the animals. Some, like dingoes, it's best to steer clear of. I saw black
and white ibis, cassowaries, wallabies, kangaroos, wombats, even a
platypus in a special viewing tank. In the “night section” were the
spinex mouse, possums and gliders and flying foxes.

ae Volume 55 «© February 1996 19

North of Melbourne, on the border with New South Wales, is the
River Murray port city of Echuca. Well, the paddle steamers are for
tourists now but at the turn of the century it was a bustling metropolis.
The Pride of the Murray steamer took us on a cruise, the captain
pointing out the places of interest, but since the Murray is some 2000
miles long, we only saw a little.

Australia is a huge country and while Victoria might be compared a
little to England, Queensland in the far north-east is definitely tropical
and home to the rainforests.

We flew there, via Sydney — it took more than three hours — and had
soon booked tours of the Barrier Reef and a rainforest.

The Reef Cat took us out and on board I bought a waterproof camera
for £25. A marine biologist gave a lecture on the underwater life for
those of us who wished to dive, or travel in a submersible.

Diving was an exhilarating experience and for an hour or more I
revelled in the water, trying to fix in my mind the lighting and other
visual experiences for later use in paintings.

Back at the hotel I walked around the gardens and streets and
wildlife was everywhere; a big Orb spider stretching a web over plants;
a synastid beetle.

The Daintree Forest was the real reason for our trip though and Cape
Tribulation conservationist Gary took us to Port Arthur. As we drove
along he gave us a personalised tour. Our destination was Heritage
Lodge and to get there we had to travel by boat up the crocodile-infested
Daintree river. While waiting for the boat I noticed the plants were
covered with green spiders and I saw some strange looking ants .. .

As we boarded our boat Gary indicated an Orb spider, as big as his
hand.

Cruising the river we saw the crocs, masses of birds and an
occasional tree python and after landing and striding off to our hotel,
the trees were full of butterflies — I recognised a Ulysses blue — and a
brown snake slithered away.

At Cooper's Creek it was time for a swim in a natural pool, with
water that conditioned your hair, and Gary pointed out the lawyer
plant, so named because of its barbed hooks which grab and won't let
you go.

There is the spot where Aborigines used natural rock to paint
themselves, a plant which when split, made a useful fork, and a 600

20 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society be ]

year- old tree. Lunch by the pool, and we were entertained with white
wine, fresh fruit, prawns and fish, while the floor show comprised
numerous large birdwings coloured blue and green fluttering around.
There was a 100 foot high strangler fig in the forest on our return trip
to Port Douglas, where Gary showed us an animal and bird sanctuary
similar to Healesville. ?

We saw koalas grooming, ibis and the cassowary which eats the fruit
of a particular tree and drops the pips elsewhere so the tree
propagates; a classic bird-tree symbiosis. a rainbow lorikeet showed
particular skill, trying to get at the sugar on our table. When we opened
a tub of ice-cream, it quickly helped itself.

Next day we went on a restored train to Kuranda, passing through
reclaimed swamp and many tunnels before reaching our destination,
Kuanda station, festooned in tropical plants. During my wanderings
here I found two specimens of ladybird Scymnodes platyomus-
baccoformis in the leaves of a huge cactus plant. It's also sugar cane
country — one acre produces 40 tons of sugar — and Tate and Lyle have
taken over the local Bundaberg sugar company.

At Junguburra are two lakes and more and more rainforest. We
cruised on lake Barrine and saw many birds — pelicans, ducks,
cormorants, a whistling kite which caught food from us in mid-flight,
and bush turkeys.

At Milla Milla, a spectacular waterfall surrounded by forest, I found a
small blue chrysomelid Arsipoda chrysius Oliver. Walking about here
we were warned not to touch a certain plant which could give an
excruciating sting that might prove fatal if not treated.

After three days in and around Cairns we had to fly back south, to
Sydney and the Park Regis hotel, 45 storeys high and with great views.
With only a short time there I did mange to visit Oceanworld at Manly,
across the bay and also walk through the Rocks District, the heart of
old Sydney. Back to Melbourne, and two more days before flying off to
Singapore where, on my last afternoon, I captured my last beetle, an
orange Lagriid called Exosama nigra.

Acknowledgements

My thanks to staff at the Coleoptera Department of the British Natural
History Museum for helping me identify some of the creatures
mentioned above.

2 eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeOee——

3 Volume 55 + February 1996 21

Around Arnside
by Jonathan Ellis (10077))

St. Thomas Vicarage, Heber Street, Radcliffe, Greater Manchester M26 2TG.

During 1994 I went on holiday with my family to the Lake District and I
stayed at Grange-over-Sands. One day we decided to go across the bay
and climb Arnside Knott. When we were about half way up we came
across a meadow that was full of butterflies and other insects. They
seemed to be attracted to common knapweed (Centaurea nigra). As |
had my butterfly net with me I caught (and released) the butterflies I
found there. These were the:-

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)

Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina)

High brown fritilliary CArgynnis adippe)

Other insects found that day included:-

White tailed bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)

Soldier beetle (Rhagonyca fulva)

Common green grasshopper (Omnocestus viridulus).
But this is not all. I visited the meadow again on another warm day and
this time insects recorded there included all those seen before (apart
from the Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)), and in addition the:-

Tree wasp (Dolichovespula sylvestris)

Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

Scotch argus (Erebia aethiops).
I also came across a National Trust notice board that said the meadow
was one of two places where the Scotch argus (Erebia aethiops) is

found, it also said that the Brown argus (Aricia agestis) may be found
there too.

Also on this walk we went through some woods on top of a cliff and
here I saw thousands of wood ants and some Grayling butterflies
(Hipparchia semele).

As you can see Arnside is an excellent place for insects and these are
obviously just a few I found there on my walk. But these were a very
interesting two days for me.

— = SS

EE ee

22 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ee

A Feathered ranunculus on board!
by R.A. Eades (9730)
28 The Stray, South Cave, Brough, North Humberside HU15 2AS.

On the afternoon of the 2nd October 1993 I boarded a ship in
Alexandra Dock, Hull, called the “Arco Arun”, in order to pilot this
vessel down the Humber and out to sea. The ship is a large dredger,
which extracts gravel from the bed of the North Sea, and occasionally
calls at this port with aggregates for the building industry. She had
arrived during the night and discharged her cargo of gravel. The
weather was settled at the time, and the previous night had been humid
and misty. In the wheelhouse I noticed a dead moth at the bottom of
the bridge windows. As I could not identify it, I collected it, and
showed it to Derek Cutts, who identified it as a Feathered ranunculus,
Eumichtis lichenea lichenea. | took the specimen to Spurn Nature
Reserve, where the warden, Barry Spence and his assistant David Boyle
confirmed the identification. Presumably the moth flew on board during
the inward voyage whilst the ship passed the end of Spurn Point, |
during the hours of darkness. At Spurn the species is a “common
resident” (Spence 1991), and the date is within the dates given by him
of “second week of September to the second week in October’. Sutton
and Beaumont 1989 describe it as a “mainly coastal species” which “is
now spreading again in Yorkshire”. The possibility also exists that the
moth came on board in Hull docks, where there are still areas of
derelict land with a very interesting weed flora (Crackles 1990).
However, I think this unlikely, because the ship's wheelhouse is locked
up in port, which would both prevent a moth flying in, and also
prevent a moth trapped inside from leaving. Furthermore, with the
rapid growth in trade since Alexandra Dock was reopened last year a
lot of interesting habitat has been lost to industry. The sighting is of
interest in showing once again the possibility for insects to spread by
human transport. I wish to thank Derek Cutts and Barry Spence for
their help in identification and preparing this note.

REFERENCES

Crackles, E. (1990). Flora of the East Riding of Yorkshire. Humberside County Council,
Hull.

Spencer, B. (1991). The Moths and Butterflies of Spurn. Spurn Bird Observatory, Kilnsea,
Humberside.

Sutton, S.L. and Beaumont, H.E. (1989). Butterflies and Moths of Yorkshire. Yorkshire
Naturalists Union, Doncaster.

ae Volume 55 « February 1996 23

Never mind the molluscs...
here come the moths!

by Len Winokur (8070)

55 Palmer Park Avenue, Reading, Berkshire RGO 1DP.

Never mind ichneumons, spider mites and slugs. Scourge of the
breeding tub may well be closer to home — among our Lepidopteran
“friends”, no less.

tasteuly i hada tub of bird's-foot: trefoil — or “BFT” as it is
affectionately known (Lotus corniculatus L.), freshly potted up for
imminent oviposition by captive bred Wood white butterflies (Leptidea
sinapis L.). | at once covered it with an intact netting sock, tied the
neck of the sock secure to the rim, and placed the set-up in a bowl of
water as a “moat” against ants. Only sinapis adults were let in — under
scrutiny, before re-tying the sock with string. And over the prevailing
hot and sunny spell, free oviposition ensued.

SO when one day I inspected my charge, I was baffled to find the
yellow flowers now withered, and the upper stems — which I was sure
ought to be much taller — stripped of leaves. But most distressing of all,
no Wood white eggs! I urgently unveiled the netting only to find a very
self-satisfied caterpillar, which this Lotus-eater later proved to be, a
Large yellow underwing moth (Noctua pronuba L.). The parent female
had undoubtedly sneaked in a lay at the very start, and as for the Wood
white eggs, well, the babies went down with the bathwater.

On another occasion, while transferring Wood white between tubs, I
segregated six pupating larvae plus some Lotus to a clean plastic carton,
to prevent risk of damage during transfer. I also placed therein some
third instar Common blue (Polyommatus icarus Rottemburg). Paul
Daniels — you ain't seen nothin! yet! For when I removed the lid, just
four pupating larvae — hey presto! — but no chrysalids! Not — that is,
until I discovered two ghostly hollowed-out cuticles. Distressed again?
A touch of the blues, I say!

Many readers will be familiar with the cannibalistic habits of some of
our butterflies, the Orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines L.) and Holly
blue (Celastrina argiolus L.) being the two most notable offenders, but
there appears to be less mention of cross-species attacks by otherwise
phytophagous (vegetarian to you and me) caterpillars. E.B. Ford in his
famous. Butterflies (1957. London: Collins), describes the Dun-bar moth
(Calymnis trapezina L.) as wholly carnivorous with a weakness for
larvae of the “looper” moth family (Geometridae). That the Large blue

24 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a

butterfly (Maculinea arion L.) makes good on ant grubs in the nest is
common knowledge, Ford suggesting their flesh fad to be an extension
of their cannibalism, which others assert may itself have arisen in
Lepidoptera as a consequence of competition for foodplants. Now
feeding is typically stimulated by specific chemicals in the plant tissues.
Since moulting larvae and freshly-formed pupae will likely have
accumulated a concentrated dose, is it possible then that they might so
be serving as scrumptious “eat-me” beacons? The soft cuticles of fresh
young pupae would surely make for easy pickings.

Son of Silver Y: Note on Autographa gamma L.

by Don McNamara (5537)

6 Fulham Close, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 OSU.

1994 was a good year for these lively moths, seen in great numbers
whenever and wherever I went moth-hunting. :

In West London (Uxbridge) and in Buckinghamshire (Denham) every
expedition revealed hordes of them dashing about in the fields around
the Colne River complex — also on the South Downs (Brighton, Hove
and Portslade) and on the North Downs (Dorking, Westhumble and
Box Hill) great numbers of these greyish-brown moths occupied the
fields during late July and throughout August.

The West was also inundated: the Cotswolds in particular — and in
the Forest of Dean (Newnham-on-Severn), they were very common,
flying to light in houses and pubs causing much comment — so many
being noticed by local observers.

Of course it is possible that among them were numbers of the Plain
golden Y, Autographa jota, the Beautiful golden Y, Autographa
pulchrina, and other similar noctuids, but having inspected many
moths, which were almost certainly Autographa gamma, I'm sure that
Silver Ys were in the majority.

It seems that from May onwards a substantial immigration of the
Silver Y occurred which added to the indigenous population. Mostly
these moths were somewhat “tatty” and dull, no doubt due to their
having travelled great distances and because of their energetic habits,
but on the 8th September (1994) I saw a freshly-emerged specimen on
a gatepost in Hillingdon, Middlesex, a pristine moth with its intricately-
patterned wings and subtle colouring showing just how beautiful they
can be.

a Volume 55 « February 1996 25

Sheep nostril botfly (Oestrus ovis): Larval infestation of the
conjunctiva of a Bedouin

by John Hay (6878)

3306 Glasgow Road, Ralston, Paisley, Strathclyde PA1 3BH.

Larvae of several dipteran species can invade the human eye and cause
disease. This so-called ophthalmomyiasis, which can occur with varying
degrees of severity, can be induced by Gasterophilus spp., Hypoderma
spp. and Oestrus ovis larvae (Soulsby, 1982). The infestation can affect
the orbit, or the internal or external parts of the human eye (Keen et al.
1991). External eye involvement, such as conjunctivitis, is commonly
associated with O. ovis, the Sheep nostril, Sheep warble or Botfly
(Cameron et al. 1991). This occurs mainly in shepherds, or those
involved with cheese-making from sheep milk, and most often in
Central America, Southern Africa and the Mediterranean, but the larvae
are sometimes isolated from the eyes of travellers returning from these,
and other endemic areas.

The adult female O. ovis is viviparous Carviparous), usually
depositing her larvae in the nostrils of a sheep, or sometimes another
animal such as a goat. There may be as many as 500 larvae instilled
into the nostrils of a single animal. The first instar larva, about 1—1.5mm
in length, migrates into the nasal tissues where it undergoes further
development. About eight to twelve months later, the mature third stage
larva, by this time around 25mm long, migrates back to the nostril, falls
to the ground and subsequently undergoes pupation.

impthe case reported here, a Bedouin shepherd had the‘larvae
deposited onto the conjunctiva of his right eye. The larvae cannot
undergo further development in the human host. He suffered from
intense irritation and discomfort and his eye was badly inflamed. Six
whitish-yellow larvae were removed from the surface of his conjunctiva
using fine forceps. This is not always easily performed since the larvae
can be quite motile. Topical steroids were applied to reduce the
inflammation and antibiotics were provided to eliminate bacterial
infection (Reingold et al. 1984). These interventions were associated
with a rapid resolution of his ocular problems.

The extracted larvae were placed in a balanced salt solution, prior to
chemical fixation using formalin. They were processed and stained
using a solution of acid fushsin in 20% alcohol (Oldroyd, 1973). A larva
is shown in Plate 96D, Fig. 7. The anterior end of the larva had a
prominent pair of protuberant oral hooks (Fig. 1); these are used to aid

26 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

attachment to the tissues of the host. Several rows of spiracles were
located dorsally and ventrally to the oral opening. The terminal end had
two characteristic terminal bulges, each carrying 12 hooklets (Plate 96D,
Fig. 8). |

Fig. 1. Anterior end of larva showing prominent pair of oral hooks. (Hay)

Some dipteran larvae can rapidly penetrate the outer coats of the eye
to cause very severe, potentially sight-threatening disease. In the case of
an O. ovis infection, the condition is usually benign and self-limiting,
but as was the case with this unfortunate shepherd, the infestation can
lead to more overt disease. The entomologist is a key person in this
situation. Prompt removal of the larvae from the eye is essential, as is
rapid and precise microscope identification of the offending immature
insect, since successful medical treatment is very much dependent upon
a correct diagnosis.

References

Cameron, J.A., Shoukrey, N.M. & Al-Garni, M. (1991). Conjunctival ophthalmomyiasis
caused by the sheep nasal botfly (Oestrus ovis). American Journal of Ophthalmology.
112: 331-334.

Kean, B.H., Sun, T. & Ellsworth, R.M. (1991). Opthalmomyiasis. In: Colour Atlas’/Text of
Ophthalmic Parasitology. lgaken-Shoin Medical Publishers Inc., New York. pp. 223-228.

Oldroyd, H. (1973). Collecting, Preserving and Studying Insects. Hutchinson & Co. Ltd.,
London.

Reingold, W.J., Robin, J.B., Leipa, D., Kondra, L., Schazlin, D.J. & Smith, R-E. (1984).
Oestrus ovis opthalmomyiasis externa. American Journal of Ophthalmology. 97: 7-10.
Soulsby, E.J.L. (1982). Helminths, Arthropods and Protozoa of Domesticated Animals, 7th

edition. Bailliere Tindall, London.

3 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Fig. 1. Papilionidae.
Left: Papilio xuthus Right: P. protenor

Fig. 2. Lycaenidae.

Top left (two): Curetis acuta Top right (two): Everes argiades
Mid left (two): Lycaena phlaeas Mid right: Celastrina agriolus
Bottom left: Lampides boeticus Bottom right (two): Pseudozizeeria maha

PLATE 96A

Volume 55 « February 1996 36

Fig. 3. Nymphalidae.
Top left: Neptis sappho Top right: Vanessa indica
Mid left & bottom left: Polygonia c-aureum Bottom right: Cynthia cardui

Fig. 4. Hesperiidae.
Top left: Daimio tethys Top right: Pelopidas mathias
Bottom left: Potanthus flavus Bottom right: Parnara guitata

PLATE 96B

Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Fig. 5. Joe becomes a star?

PLATE 96C

Volume 55 « February 1996

saa
FA
wi

TT ;
or a Ni
\

i ANN
‘ \\

Fig. 8. Posterior end of larva showing hooklets.

PLATE 96D

+] Volume 55 ° February 1996 2/7

Some notes on the Summer of '95

by Wayne Jarvis (9899)
9 Napier Court, 44-40 Napier Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU1 1XP.

The summer of 1995 has broken many a record. In the Lincolnshire
Fens there was only 72mm of rain between April and August, and June,
July and August were nationally the driest months in most areas since
records began 336 years ago. These three months were also the third
hottest on record — only 1826 and 1976 being hotter. August brought
temperatures which were 2 to 4C higher than average in Scotland and
eastern England and 4 to 6°C higher than average in the rest of England
and Wales. There were a staggering 11 days where no rain was
recorded anywhere in the UK in August but by the end of the month,
the weather had broken and September brought rain. The highlands of
Scotland received a record September rainfall in only 12 days. Floods
were common, with the baked earth unable to soak up the exceptional
falls of rain. The unseasonal trend continued with the warmest ever
October being recorded.

The summer was a wonderful one for migrant insects, especially from
the east and south. Hundreds of Camberwell beauties have been
recorded, mainly in the south and east but also much further north. |
have received several reports of sightings of this insect from throughout
the country. I received a letter from Stuart Pittman (9135) detailing a
sighting in Hitchin, Hertfordshire on 4th August in a forest of Buddleia
in the town centre. Not to be outdone, I visited the site 24 hours later
and sighted two insects on one bush. On 5th August Jonathan Ellis
(10077J) spotted a beauty when climbing Hopegill Head in the Lake
District whilst on holiday and Mr D.W. Lacey (8872) reported a sighting
on Saturday 12th August in the Botanic Gardens of the University of
Durham on a Buddliea bush. Jerry Jones (8347) reported the insect on
the Isle of Man between the 13th and 16th August in Port Erin in the
south-west of the island. However, the two records which I received
that stand out are from Nicholas Cooke (3266) and Steve Fry (4302).
Nick Cooke was returning from a day's fishing in the Reay Forest above
focheviore between Laire and Durness on the 8th August. Ihe
specimen was on open moorland at an altitude of around 350 metres,
well away from woodland cover. After consultations with Steve Moran
of BRISC Highland Record Centre at Inverness Museum, it was
discovered that all previous sightings of the insect have been further
east in Caithness and Easter Ross. There were four other Scottish
records this year from Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Fife and

28 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

Moray. Steve Fry's record came from Wales on the 10th August. Steve
was on a heather-clad ridge which forms the Clwyd/Powys boundary
near the summit of Moel Sych in the Berwyn Mountains (SJ1051314)
and was at an altitude of 710 metres — does this take the altitude record
for British Camberwell beauties?

Several Queen of Spain fritillaries were also recorded this year along
with more common species, such as Painted ladies and Red admirals,
which arrived earlier than usual and moved swiftly northwards. A few
records of the Long-tailed blue have been recorded, one of which Barry
Dickerson (8422) sighted on 27th August whilst on a Huntingdonshire
Moth and Butterfly Group Field Meeting in Kent at the Sugarloaf/ Castle
Hill complex near Folkestone.

Butterflies which lay their eggs in the late summer have generally
suffered as a result of the drought but the wetland species such as the
Swallowtail, have done well. The Large blue has done exceptionally
well this year, which poses many concerns for conservationists, as there
is a fear for the future of the ant colonies which the butterfly parasitises.
Monarchs have also invaded our shores with a vengeance this year, the
fifty records being the best since 1981. Most of these butterflies landed
on the south coast, west of the Isle of Wight, and spread inland as the
summer progressed. Mr T.K. Dunkley (7423) from Rushden, Northants
reported a Monarch on the 11th August in a friends garden in Finedon,
Northants.

As far as other insect species were concerned, wasps had a very
good year and the newly established Continental species continued to
spread north and west. Hornets also did well and bee-keepers had an
extremely productive year. Dragonflies were much in evidence this year
and there were many records of migrants from the east, notably the
Yellow-winged darter in East Anglia (see April's Bulletin). Ants,
droneflies, ladybirds and hoverflies thrived as did grasshoppers and
crickets. Long-winged coneheads continued to spread northwards and
the Roesel's bush cricket also had a very good year. One insect which
also had a good year is the Anopheles mosquito which transmits
maleria. It is worrying that if the trend for warm summers continues, it
may well become resident in this country.

What will the effects of last summer be on this season's insects? We
shall have to wait and see.

34 Volume 55 « February 1996 29

Notes on the Silkmoth Rearer's Handbook
by Dr P. Roy (9647)

162 Southcroft Road, Tooting, London SW17 OTP.

The following information may be of use to members who are interested
in silkmoths.

Caio romulas.

One female and one male were caught at lights in Italiae near Rio de
Janiero, Brazil, in October 1992.

The female laid 18 ova, six of which emerged after one week. The
larvae fed on willow and survived until the third and fourth instars
when (Christmas now) the willow was in very poor condition and the
larvae languished and died. They were not difficult to rear and with
good foodplant would have pupated. The larvae were similar to Agiia,
tan with eye spots along the sides.

Copaxa canella.

One female at lights in the same locality at the same time. Willow, oak,
holm oak, privet, grass and rhododendron were all tried as larval
foodplants with no success.

Automeris ovalina.

Larvae were very common at the same locality and took sugar cane and
bamboo. In the UK they took bamboo. I took a dozen of which only
four survived. They grew very slowly and hatchings of the adults were
staggered and so no pairings occurred. The larvae were black all over,
including the head and the spines. The pupae were formed in loose,
flimsy cocoons amongst the bamboo leaves on the floor.

Italiae is 100 miles west of Rio. It is a national park with good and
relatively cheap accommodation in the park. The area is Atlantic
montane forest and the altitude 1500 feet. The specimens were found
over a period of three days and nights with no use of a moth light.
More moths might have been caught with one. Butterflies were also
numerous in the area.

30 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36

Foodplants of Swallowtail larvae

by Brian Gardiner (225)

2 Highfield Avenue, Cambridge CB4 2AL.

I have noted with interest the articles by Trevor Sampson and Leigh
Plester concerning P. machaon larvae feeding on ground elder
(Aegopodium podagaria). This is in fact one of the many foodplants
recorded in 1949 by P.B.M. Allan in his book Larval Foodplants: a vade-
mecum for the field Lepidopterist. In this book Allan often differentiates
between foodplants which a species has been found on (or recorded
on) and those which it is known to eat in captivity. Ground elder is
amongst the latter and is also a member of the Umbelliferae, members
of which are the chief foodplants of the Swallowtail.

Swallowtail larvae, both of Papilio machaon gorganus and of P. m.
britannicus have been recorded as feeding on a wide variety of
foodplants, all in either the family Umbelliferae or the Rutaceae. The
British race britannicus, in the wild, has been, and still is, much more
particular in its choice of food than is the continental gorganus. Both,
however, have been recorded on, and will accept when in captivity, a
very wide range of plants. Generally it seems that britannicus prefers
wild angelica (Angelica sylvestris) and milk parsley (Peucedanum
palustre) while gorganus prefers carrot (Daucus carota) and fennel
(Foeniculum vulgare). | venture to conjecture that the reason for this
differential choice lies in both the habitat and the habits of the female.
In England the habitat is low-lying marshy area; on the continent wide-
ranging and up to 4000 feet. As has been shown by Dr Dempster in his
study of britannicus on Wicken Fen, the females are only able to find
the plants on which to oviposit if they are standing proud of the
surrounding vegetation. This effectively limits the choice of
foodplant to wild angelica and milk parsley. With its very
wide-ranging habitat, covering all

types of vegetation, gorganus has
no such constraints and the female is
able to find and to lay on a much
wider range of foodplant.

Although Umbelliferae are undoubtedly
the main plant family used, several members
of the Rutaceae are also avidly eaten, rues
(Thalictrum spp.) in particular being the most
often used and quoted in the literature.

36 Volume 55 ° February 1996 31

A note on Bacillus rossius, the Corsican stick insect

by Don McNamara (5537)

6 Fulham Close, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 OSU.

In 1985 I bought some ova of the Corsican stick insect from a dealer in
Cheltenham, to add to my growing number of species. I have often had
“population explosions”, particularly of the Indian stick insect
Carausius morosus, and others — and the habit was to give them away
but in the following spring, 1986, I had so many that I “liberated” many
of them in a bramble patch by a local Hillingdon wood, Pole Hill
Wood, and throughout that year both Carausius morosus, and the pink-
winged stick insect Sipyloidea sipylus, were evident until late into the
autumn. Incidently there is a bramble patch in the centre of this wood
that is frost-free — where I gather food during winter-time (for insects,
aatais!)p

I had difficulty, oddly enough, with the Corsican stick insect, despite
breeding some exotic, far-eastern types. Many offspring died in mid-
growth — before maturity, despite changing temperatures, spraying
regimes and alternative foodplants. Other pressures were upon me at
that time so I decided to cut my losses and close down the “operation”.
The livestock was snapped up by budding young entomologists and I
eventually cleaned out the cages throwing away the detritus,
presumably containing some ova, into the back garden, where much
bramble exists. During the summer and autumn of 1986 the neighbours
reported “strange insects” in their gardens — all of which turned out to
be either Carausius morosus or Sipyloidea sipylus. The pink-winged
stick insects appeared the next year, 1987, five alone in my garden. But
since then — nothing.

That is until last year, 1993. Whilst collecting some bramble leaves for
caterpillars from the back garden of the above address, I discovered,
low-down, just above ground level, two greenish stick insect nymphs
about two centimetres long. They certainly looked like Bacillus rossius,
but I wasn't sure and in any case I left them where they were — despite
being puzzled at the time.

However, on 30th July, this year, whilst hacking the slightly out of
control bramble I dislodged an adult Corsican stick insect, a beautiful
specimen, light green with the tell-tale lateral white stripe on each side.
This I now have in “protective custody” and it has laid five eggs to date
(ist August).

32 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3

Although I believe, in Cornwall and Devon, New Zealand species
have “acclimatised” and are now regarded as British, this is the first
time I've heard of this species lasting more than one year “in the wild”
in Britain.

As, from the time of the disposal of the eggs until today, eight years
have elapsed — and although it is true that winters appear to be milder
and it is possible that inside the London Basin a warmer climate or
micro-climate exists anyway, I would think that the possibility exists for
this species to be viable here. Whether it has the capability of
“acclimatising” (not a very scientific term), or it has already the capacity,
a small colony has undoubtedly been in existence here for nearly a
decade.

What's in a name?

by Graham Best (7928)

Bellargus is Adonis

I thought everybody knew,
and Plebejus argus

is the Silver-studded blue;
galathea is the Marbled white
carduis the Painted lady,
hyperanthus is the Ringlet

its haunts are damp and shady;
iris is the Emperor

brassicae is a white

and that's as much as one small head
can carry, I think — quite.

She listened very patiently

then turned when I had done,

to where a lovely Brimstone

was basking in the sun,

She said “I love this pretty yellow one”
and, with that my tale is done.

With apologies to Reginald Arkell
(Collected Green Fingers).

3d Volume 55 « February 1996 33

Ringlet (Erebia) butterflies in Greece
by Dr Andrew Wakeham-Dawson (9379)

The Game Conservancy Trust, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SPO 1EF.

Introduction

There are at least 46 European species of Ringlet butterflies and they
are often associated with arctic or alpine habitats. These species are all
quite closely related and over 75% of the species are endemic,
sometimes only located in a few particular mountain areas (Higgins,
1975). The localised distribution of these species may be a result of the
prehistoric ice-ages. With the periodic advance and retreat of the polar
ice-sheets, it appears that some populations were isolated in mountain
areas and evolved in isolation from even quite close neighbours. The
genus Erebia has been discussed in detail by Warren (1936).

As part of a study of Greek butterflies, I reviewed recent information
on Erebia butterflies reported to live in Greece. I found that at least
nine species (apparently mainly restricted to the mountains of central
and northern Greece) have been recorded, and I include a summary of
information relating to these species in the current article. I also include
some of my own observations. I hope this may be useful to other
readers and I would be most grateful for any information about the
subject that others could supply to me.

List of Erebia butterflies found in Greece

In the following list, * indicates that the pre-adult stages of a species are
described in Chinery (1989). Larval foodplants listed are those generally
recorded for a species throughout its range and not necessarily those
used by a particular species in Greece.

Erebia ligea /ligea Linnaeus 1758*. Arran brown.
Flight: Early July (Dacie et al., 1972).
Habitat: A single colony near Florina, north Greece in flowery mountain

meadows between 1000m and 1450m. Flying even in cloudy
conditions.

Larval foodplant: Grasses, including finger-grass (Digitaria) and wood
millet (Milium effusum) (Higgins & Riley, 1980).

34 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society aS

Erebia euryale euryale Esper 1805*. Large ringlet.
(a). Flight: Late July and early August (Dacie et al., 1982).

Habitat: A colony in fresh condition in a mountain conifer forest
clearing near Drama, north Greece at 1450m.

(b). Flight: Late July and early August (Wakeham-Dawson, 1995).

Habitat: A small colony in sub-alpine pasture at 1750m near Drama,
north Greece. Males only.

Larval foodplant: Grasses (Higgins & Riley, 1980).

Erebia aethiops raethiops Esper 1777*. Scotch argus.
Flight: Late July and early August (Dacie et al., 1982).

Habitat: A colony in open mountainous terrain near Drama, north
Greece at about 1300m.

Larval foodplant: Grasses, including purple moor grass (Molinia
caerulea) and couch (Agropyron) (Higgins & Riley, 1980).

Erebia ottomana ?ottomana Herrich-Schaeffer 1847. Ottoman brassy
ringlet.

(a). Flight: Early July (Coutsis, 1973).

Habitat: Rocky ground with sparse vegetation at 1900m on Mount
Tymphristos, central Greece. Two males and one female.

(b). Flight: Early August (Dacie et al., 1982).
Habitat: Sub-alpine meadows at 1700m near Florina, north Greece.
Larval foodplant: Not known (Higgins & Riley, 1980).

Erebia melas melas Herbst 1796. Black ringlet.
(a). Flight: Early July (Coutsis, 1973).

Habitat: Rocky ground with sparse vegetation at 1900m on Mount
Tymphristos, central Greece. Also recorded from Mount Olympus and
Mount Parnassus at 1800-2000m. (Coutsis, 1969).

(b). Flight: Late July and early August (Wakeham-Dawson, 1995).
Habitat: An extensive colony in sub-alpine pasture between 1700m and
1800m near Drama, north Greece. Females rare. Flying even in cloudy
and misty conditions.

Larval foodplant: Not known (Higgins & Riley, 1980).

SS SSS

4 Volume 55 * February 1996 35

Erebia oeme spodia f. vetulonia Fruhstorfer 1918*. Bright-eyed ringlet.

Flight: Late June, a first record of this species in Greece? (Dacie et al.,

1):

Habitat: An extensive colony flying among fir trees between 1300m and
1650m near Drama, north Greece.

Larval foodplant: Wood-rush (Luzula) (Higgins & Riley, 1980) and
fescue (Festuca) grasses (Chinery, 1989).

Erebia medusa ?medusa Denis and Schiffermtiller 1775*. Woodland
ringlet.

Flight: June (Luckens, 1990).

Habitat: Northern Pindos Mountains. Also recorded between 1400m and
1800m from the Pindos Mountains and Mount Olympus (Coutsis, 1969)..

Larval foodplant: Grasses, including hairy finger-grass (Digitaria
sanguinalis) and wood millet (Milium effusum) (Higgins & Riley, 1980).

Erebia phegea ?dalmata Godart 1824. Dalmatian ringlet.

I think this species has been found near Kozani in north Greece. Any
information would be most gratefully received.

Larval foodplant: Grasses (Chinery, 1989).

Erebia epipbron. Knoch 1783*. ?subsp Mountain ringlet.
Luckens (1990) reports that there is a race of this species near Florina.
Any information would be most gratefully received.

Larval foodplant: Grasses especially tufted hair-grass (Deschampsia
caespitosa) (Higgins & Riley, 1980).

Acknowledgements

I thank the Greek government (especially Mr John Petamides at the
Ministry of Agriculture), and the staff of the Goulandris Natural History
Museum, Kifissia, Greece (especially Katerina G. Prapopoulou) and the
British Museum (Natural History), London for their help.

36 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe

REFERENCES

Chinery, M. (1989). Butterflies and Day-flying Moths of Britain and Europe. Collins,
London.

Coutsis, J.G. (1969). List of Grecian butterflies. Entomologist, 102: 264-268.

— , (1973). List of Grecian butterflies: additional records 1972. Entomologist's Rec. J. Var.,
85: 105-168.

Dacie, J.V., Dacie, M.K.V., Grammaticos, P. (1972). Butterflies in northern and central
Greece, July 1971. Entomologist’s Rec. J. Var., 84: 257-260.

Dacie, J.V., Dacie, M.K.V., Grammaticos, P. & Coutsis, J. (4982). Butterflies in northern
Greece, July-August 1980. Entomologist's Rec. J. Var., 94: 18-20.

Dacie, J.V., Dacie, M.K.V., Grammaticos, P. Higgins, L.G. & Higgins N. (1979). Butterflies
in northern Greece, June-July 1978. Entomologist's Rec. J. Var., 91: 311-314.

Higgins, L.G. & Riley, N.D. (1980). A Field Guide to the Butterflies of Britain and Europe.
Collins, London.

Higgins, L.G. (1975). The Classification of European Butterflies. Collins, London.

Luckens, C.J. (1990). Around Greece in fourteen days — 1988. Entomologist's Rec. J. Var.,
102: 77-84.

Wakeham-Dawson, A. (1995). Butterflies in North-east Greece (28th July — 4th August,
1994). Entomologist's Rec. J. Var., (In press, possibly for publication in May or July
issue).

Warren, B.C.S. (1936). Monograph of the Genus Erebia. British Museum (N.H.).

New records for Wales

by Colin Jones (9694)

7 Larch Avenue, Shotton, Deeside, Clwyd CH5 1NF.

On 30th June 1995, my moth-trapping friend, Geoff Neal and I visited
Shotton Nature Reserve in Clwyd (SJ295710), for a night's light-trapping.
Included in our catch were a total of six Mythimna obsoleta (Obscure
wainscot). We have since had confirmation that this is not only a new
record for Clwyd but also for North Wales. On another visit, 28th July,
we recorded four Archanara dissoluta (Brown-veined wainscot). This
species is mentioned in Heath's Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain,
Vol. 10, stating there is a colony in north-east Wales but no location is
given. It seems we have re-located this long-lost moth.

The habitat at this site consists of Phragmites, reedmace, willow,
birch etc. A perfect Wainscot area, if you don't mind mosquitoes.

I would also like to inform members and any visitors in the future to
Flintshire, as it will be in April 1996, that I will be the new moth
recorder for the County and I would appreciate any records of moths,
trapped, collected or casually observed, and I will acknowledge all
correspondence.

36 Volume 55 «* February 1996 oy

The Brown argus Gricia agestis ) in Huntingdonshire (VC31)
by Barry Dickerson (8422)

27 Andrew Road, Eynesbury, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 2QE.

I read with interest the article by Peter Tebbutt about the reappearance
of the Brown argus in Northamptonshire (Bull. Amat. Ent. Soc. 54:
(402) October 1995). Here in Huntingdonshire this butterfly has enjoyed
a population explosion during the past three years. The Brown argus
was unrecorded during stage one of the county survey 1980-1989, but
can now be found on several sites both in the north and south of the
county. On one site, Litthe Paxton Gravel Pits, which was the site on
which the butterfly was rediscovered in 1992, now has a population of
several hundred individuals extending over the whole complex of
disused gravel workings. It can also be found in several woods where
BieneuateawiGe tides and in the disused brick, pits south of
Peterborough. Two of my recorders have also found it nectaring on
buddleia (Buddleia davidii) in gardens, although the favoured source
for nectar appears to be fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica) as large
numbers of Brown arguses can be found feeding from this during
August, along several of our woodland rides.

The problem of larval foodplant has also intrigued us. There is no
rock rose (Helanthemum nummularium) growing wild in
Huntingdonshire and storksbill (Erodium cicutarium) is also
uncommon. Most of the local Brown argus sites do have a few plants of
cranesbill (Geranium sp.) growing on them, but not enough to support
the populations of butterflies found there. I have seen ova being laid
on cut-leaved cranesbill (G. dissectum) and have tried to feed larvae on
dovesfoot cranesbill (G. molle). I say tried because I found that first
instar larvae were not capable of reaching the fleshy parts of the leaves
because of the abundance of fine hairs that cover the leaves. All the
first instar larvae tried on dovesfoot cranesbill died of starvation.
Howard Hillier, one of my recorders, informs me that he has found a
reference in an old book that states that the Brown argus will feed on
black medick (Medicago lupulina). This plant is much commoner than
those mentioned previously; we therefore hope to try this as a larval
foodplant during 1990.

One remark in Peter Tebbutt's article does concern me. He states that
the site on which the Brown argus was found in 1959 no longer occurs
in Northamptonshire. I would like to point out that if the site was in
Northamptonshire (VC32) in 1959 it is still in Northamptonshire (VC32)

38 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3

as far as recording is concerned. The politicians can play about with
county boundaries for their own amusement as often as they like, but
recording must follow Watsonian vice-county boundaries, a system that
was drawn up in 1852, so that records from the past can be compared
with those of today and of the future, thus enabling us to discover what
changes are taking place over the years in a known area.

Unidentified caterpillar in Saurland, Germany
by Mari Margaret Clausen (10435)

Kleingemtinder Strajse 59, 69118 Heidelberg, Germany.

Whilst on holiday in late July in the Saurland in Germany, my children
found beside a pond a very large green caterpillar with a horn at the
back. It was approximately three inches long with very faint black
stripes on it and three bright yellow spots near its head. I would
describe it as smooth-skinned and of the family Sphingidae but as yet
we have not been able to find it in any of the books we've looked at,
including Collins Field Guide to Caterpillars of Britain & Europe. \t was
munching on a low-lying plant which had other minute black
caterpillars feeding from it.

I cannot remember if this particular species displayed the sphinx-like
attitude or not . . . only that it vaguely resembled Sphinx ligustri in its
size and was green in colour. As far as I recall, the horn too was green
and not black.

Insect translocations

by Colin Nicholls

Dept. of Biological Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire STS S5BG.

I am currently undertaking a review of insect releases as part of a Ph.D.
Studentship at Keele University. I would be interested to hear from
anyone involved in, or with first-hand knowledge of, insect releases
into the wild, whether it be for conservation or amenity purposes, or
merely the disposal of surplus breeding stock. Details of subsequent
monitoring (if any) would be particularly appreciated, especially for
insects other than butterflies. The confidentiality of all respondents will,
needless to say, be scrupulously respected.

Volume 55 «+ February 1996 39

Wandelnde Blatter, Stab- und Gespenstschrecken by Dieter Schulten,
Papcante@. 5). ppls2, + 8 colour plates, /5 figures. 1995.
Entomologische Mitteilungen aus dem LObbecke-Museum und
Aquazoo. Available from Lébbecke-Museum und Aquazoo, Bibliothek,
Frau Enders, 40200 Dusseldorf, Germany. Price 30DM before March
1996, 40DM from April 1996 ISSN 09386726).

Even if the stick and leaf-insect (phasmid) enthusiast cannot
understand German, this work is an excellent guide to 55 species in
culture, with many line drawings. Some recent research and many
newer species in culture have been included and the extensive
references section will be of practical use to enthusiasts.

The front cover is yellow with an impressive sketch of a female
Extatosoma tiaratum. Introductory chapters deal with a wide range of
subjects, including culture information, morphology, eggs and
taxonomic notes. Pages 26-28 provide a taxonomic listing of the species
included, which are covered in pp 29-118.

The species section gives brief notes on each species, with a useful
highlighted box giving basic information on size, distribution,
development and foodplants. Eggs are usually illustrated alongside
adults. This feature will be of considerable use to breeders. The colour
plates of eight species greatly enhance the book.

Generally, the information provided is accurate, although it
occasionally needs expanding, e.g. Haaniella muelleri is only listed
from the type locality of Sumatra. However, as far as I know, culture
stock has only been collected at Templer Park, near Kuala Lumpur,
Peninsular Malaysia. However, such omissions do not detract from the
main value of this book, which enables the breeder to know the key

40 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3¢

facts about a species. Another minor point is that species! names
require amending, as follows:

p.32 Oreophoetes peruanas should read Oreophoetes peruana’.
p.49 Lonchodes uniformis should read Lonchodes brevipes Gray.
p.82 Pharnacia acanthopus should read Pharacia serratipes (Gray).

p.87 Eurycnema herculeana should read Eurycnema versirubra
(Audinet-Serville).

p.92 Bacillus rossii should read Bacillus rossius.
* = also applies to my AES book (1992).

Page 114 appears to illustrate Anisomorpha monstrosa Hebard, from
Belize, under the text for A. buprestoides from USA, which is split into
two “forms”. This is also the case in the author's fine colour photograph
(1995) of monstrosa in Datz, 10: 642-646.

My Catalogue of Peninsular Malaysian phasmids (in press) will also
impact on some areas. In particular, rearers should note that the pink-
winged Madagascan culture stock of “Sipyloidea sipylus’ is not this
species, but should be regarded as a Sipyloidea species for the time
being. True S. sipylus are common in Asia, but are a brown-winged
species. Records of S. sipylus from Australia also relate to a distinct, but
again similar, species.

An index completes the book. Many of the 55 species covered differ
from species included in my 1992 AES book, reflecting some recent
imports and, to a lesser extent, the different species cultured in Europe
compared with Britain. The two books combined will be of
considerable value to the phasmid rearer, covering the vast majority of
species in culture today.

Paul D. Brock (4792)

Journal Review

Insectes: un autre monde parmi nous, edited by l'OPIE. A4, 30pp per
issue, illustrated in colour and monochome. ISSN 0245 0151. Issued
quarterly.) OPIE, “B-Pe Nox 9)°/804) GUYANCOURIT Cedexe i france:
Subscription FF210 (or FF180 in France).

This is yet another entomological journal which is published in the
larger format of A4 and is finely illustrated in colour throughout with a
mix of news, views, conservation items (there is an extremely
informative article on Parnassius species in issue 93), there is a
particularly strong emphasis on rearing methods as well as accounts of
various French insects. To give an idea of the coverage recent issues

|
|
|
|
|
|

36 Volume 55 » February 1996 41

have covered the rearing of locusts, a very attractive Goliath beetle,
Kentish glory moth, the stick-insect Phyllium giganteum and the beetle
Megasoma acteon. Other articles include an account of a gall produced
by a tineid larva, and, really fascinating, Medico-Legal Entomology with
a useful table of which insects and when they arrive on a carcass. There
is also an account of conserving your collection and, for those
holidaying in France, a list of museums and butterfly houses where
insects may be seen. One very good reason for reading (French required
— but for less than the price of this journal one can buy a computer
dictionary!) this journal is the insight it gives us on continental practices
which differ in some respects from ours. In my experience the cages
illustrated for locusts appear clumsy and awkward; not a patch on those
used for decades by myself and the Department of Zoology in
Cambridge, nor those made in this country by Small-Life Supplies. I have
the impression that the French are much better, or perhaps more
interested in, rearing beetles than we are. English expertise rearing
Lepidoptera, however, cannot be surpassed. In view of the number of
us who now go and collect in France, or who specialise in rearing, this
journal could prove to be extremely useful. Indeed I found almost all
the articles of interest. My latest information is that there is serious
consideration being given to publishing an English edition.

Brian O.C. Gardiner (225)

A rare find at Wyrley Common, Staffordshire
by Jan Koryszko (6089)

3 Dudley Place, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 TAY.

On 21st June 1995, my friends Mr Derek Heath and Mr Charles Byatt
visited Wyrley Common, Staffordshire. The weather was fine and sunny
and they noted and photographed a number of common species. Derek
then noticed a clearwing moth on a flower, so he netted it, and later in
the day I identified it for him. It turned out to be a Six-belted clearwing
(Bembecia scopigera Scop.) — a very rare moth in Staffordshire. The first
confirmed record for Staffordshire was taken by G. Blunt at Rowley
Regis on 25th July 1993, and since then there have been only a couple
of records in the county. In Richard South's book The Moths of the
British Isles (1909), he gives Staffordshire as one of the counties in the
Midlands where the species can be found. Wyrley Common has a
prolific growth of kidney vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), the foodplant of
this moth. The Small blue butterfly (Cupido minimus) is also quite
common in the area — I saw it myself on 2nd August 1995. The Six-
belted clearwing moth is now in the collection of Mr R.G. Warren, the
county Lepidoptera recorder for Staffordshire.

42 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

Dragonflies — food for hobbies?
Some answers:

— by Alvin Picknell (10196)

In response to Arthur Cleverly's request for information as to whether
hobbies habitually feed on dragonflies (Bulletin 53: 70), it may be of
interest that the Hamlyn Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe states
that the hobby “feeds to a large extent on dragonflies, which are
hunted in late afternoon/evening”. Also, Subbuteo Natural History
Books Ltd of Treuddyn, North Wales, who take their name from the
hobby's Latin name Falco subbuteo, use a line drawing of a hobby
about to seize a dragonfly in mid-air as their emblem.

— by R.A. Eades (9730)

The short note by Arthur Cleverly, Bulletin 53: 70, on the behaviour of
the hobby, Falco subbuteo, describes a classic hunting technique of this
magnificent migratory falcon. As he surmises, its prey would doubtless
be dragonflies or damselflies, which would be eaten on the wing. The
same technique can be used on swallows and other birds.

The hobby is very much an insectivorous bird and migrates in winter
to the plains of Africa where it exploits the abundant supplies of insects
following the rain fronts. Cramp et al. (1980) gives details of pellet
contents in England during May and June. The species found were
Saturnia pavonia, Macrothylacia rubi, Lasiocampa quercus, Melolontha
melolontha, Geotrupes spp., Carabus violaceus, Bombus spp., and
Cordulegaster boltonii. However, in England the hobby also eats
numerous insectivorous birds, especially house martin colonies in
villages, so its life cycle depends upon insects as the base of its food
chain.

REFERENCE
Cramp, Simmons, et al. (1980). Handbook of the birds of the Western Palearctic Volume 2.
pp 320-1. Oxford University Press.

— by Ben Phalan (10160)

In response to the article by Arthur Cleverly (Bulletin 53: 70) which
poses the question “Are hobbies predators of dragonflies?”, the
following may be of interest.

Christopher Perrins, in Collins New Generation Guide to the Birds of
Britain and Europe, states “The hobby and the red-footed falcon feed
primarily on young swallows and martins and also take many large
insects such as dragonflies.”

In Birds of Europe, Lars Jonsson tells us that the hobby “Often hunts
dragonflies over marshes and reedbeds on summer evenings.” Perhaps

a Volume 55 + February 1996 43

they do the canals during the afternoon, and save the marshes and
reedbeds for dessert. (Hmmm .. . I wonder if a Libellula depressa tastes
nicer than an Anax imperaton).

Lastly, according to The Complete Book of British Birds, the hobby
“Often catches insects such as dragonflies in flight, holding them in Cits)
talons to dissect and eat.”

This is presumably what the hobby in question was doing: swooping
down to catch the dragonflies, and then climbing high into the air to
eat them. The swallows were probably safe from attack, as the falcon
would be too busy staying airborne, and at the same time consuming
its prey, to simultaneously hunt them! Which begs the question — why
did it bother with dragonflies when there were swallows flying right up
to it? Surely a swallow would provide as much food as quite a few
dragonflies?

Several other books I referred to named “insects” or “large insects” as
being on the hobby's menu, and I recall reading an observation of a
hobby returning to the nest with a grasshopper for its mate.

REFERENCES

Anon. (1987). The Complete Book of British Birds. Auotmobile Association, Hampshire,
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Sandy Bedfordshire. (p.137).

Jonsson, L. (1993). Birds of Europe with North Africa and the Middle East. Christopher
Helm, London. (p. 156).

Perrins, C. (1987). Collins New Generation Guide to the Birds of Britain and Europe.
Collins, London. (p. 252).

A Magpie moth in Ayrshire
by Frank McCann (6291)
3 Langbar Path, Easterhouse, Glasgow G33 4HY.

I was at Dunure on the Ayrshire coast recently and, whilst waiting for a
bus back to Ayr, I caught a female Magpie moth which had been
fluttering on the road. I put some apple leaves with it in a container,
there were lots of crab-apple trees growing on an embankment just
across the road from where I found the moth. I damaged the wings a
bit on capture, but it laid three eggs on a blackcurrant leaf which I
provided when I got home. I then released it onto the blackcurrant
bush in my garden.

I last saw the species many years ago and again it was in Ayrshire.
The year was 1953 and I was seven or eight years old at the time. It
was the larvae of the species I saw then.

44 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe

Banned nets lead to inaccurate records

by Brian Gardiner (225)

2 Highfield Avenue, Cambridge CB4 2AL.

I cannot agree more with the last paragraph of Tony Steele's article
(Bulletin 54: 101) that loss of habitat due to Government indifference is
responsible for the decline of butterflies (and of course other wildlife). I
too am also concerned about the possible banning of nets, for this will
lead to many false identifications being recorded. I have already had
experience of this, having been reliably informed that, at a distance of
ten to twenty yards, “of course I can tell the difference between an
Essex and Small skipper.” At an even greater distance there are those
who can distinguish Small whites from Green-veined whites and is it
not just possible that it might be an immigrant Bath white? Myself, I like
to catch the specimen and make sure, although to pacify the “anti-
catching” brigade I now never carry more than a couple of boxes with
me and certainly no killing agent! Indeed I find, as a member of the
local Ramblers Club, that my fellow members, non-entomologists but
mostly interested in the wildlife we encounter on our rambles, take a
keen interest when I catch, name, show, and then release, any butterfly
or other insect we come across. Amongst some people also a
dichotomous attitude exists. I once had my net roundly condemned by
a lady with a dog; it was wrong to catch (even if they were then
released) anything, but it was perfectly all right for her dog to disturb
and try to savage ground-nesting birds. That was a “natural” activity!

It is perhaps interesting that “the wheel has come full circle” in
regard to the attitude to nets. One has but to consult some of the
Victorian literature to realise that nets were then an object of ridicule,

and collectors often took pains to disguise
them: hence the invention of the folding
net. Now it seems the ridicule has tumed
into abuse and even physical attack has
now been recorded. We have recently
been informed by the media of the
phenomenon of “road rage”; is “net rage”
about to overtake the poor entomologist?
One is left wondering if those who so
object to nets are equally vociferous in
objecting to Government road and other
schemes which are wrecking SSSIs and other

™ - . ht i
rc ic a nn

3 Volume 55 « February 1996 45

| Bug unmasked

by Maxwell Barclay (9229)
47 Tynemouth Street, Fulham, London Sw6 2QS.

The photograph of “An unidentified bug covered in particulate debris”
in the June 1995 Bulletin (Plate 951, Fig. 1) is a nymph of the Masked
bug (Reduvius personatus) which, as the author Mr Guye suggests, is a
Reduviid or Assassin bug (Hemiptera; Heteroptera; Reduviidae). The
insect is quite common in and around human habitation in Europe,
where it is quite beneficial, as it will feed on the larvae of flies, fleas,
museum beetles and other undesirables. It is also found, more rarely, in
Britain, where it is called the Fly bug. It is our largest native assassin
bug. The nymph is camouflaged with dust, cobwebs and the like. This
is probably both defensive and aggressive, as it is a voracious predator,
but is also likely to be a tasty morsel for lizards, birds and spiders. Its
camouflage is so good, that in a dusty corner it may escape the human
eye altogether, except when it moves. Therefore, it often moves fast
and suddenly, freezes, and then moves again, to minimise the amount
of time spent moving.

It is possible that its coating of loose matter also gives it some
protection against the spider webs which abound in the habitat where
it lives. If it brushes against a sticky strand, it may not become directly
snared, but simply leave some of its coating behind. This form of
camouflage was observed by Linnaeus in the 1700s, when he gave it its
mame: -—Personatus’, meaning “Masked”. He also touched on its
usefulness, saying “Consumit cimices lectularios huius larva, horrida,
personata’ ie “Its horrible masked larva eats bed-bugs”.

More than a century later the brilliant French naturalist J. Henri Fabre
turned his all-seeing eye onto this species, and observed how, as soon
as it hatches, the loose portion of the egg shell adheres to the newly
emerged nymph. He goes on to say, “The insect exudes a certain
unctuous humour... to this varnish the dust adheres without any
further trouble on the insect's part. The Reduvius does not dress itself; it
dirties itself; It turns into a pellet of dust, a walking bit of filth, because it
emits a sticky sweat.”

So, he observed, the process by which the bug acquires its disguise is
passive, unlike those crabs which actively plant their shells with sea
anemones and weedy matter. Fabre also disputes Linnaeus's
observation about bed bugs, saying that they will no doubt be eaten if
encountered, but not exclusively, or even for preference. Certainly this

46 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36

is backed by my experience, as I have recorded the Masked bug on
almost twenty occasions, but I have never found the Bed bug, nor has
it found me, at any of these sites.

The adult Reduvius is very different from its nymph, and probably
more familiar, as it is a conspicuous insect. It is around 20mm long and
chocolate brown or ebony black. It does not cover itself with debris,
probably because it flies readily, and a coating of dust would interfere
with its wings. It comes readily to light, and sits quite brazenly on walls
indoors, almost always facing downwards.

If one observes it for long enough, one will see it attack other insects
by sidling slowly up to them, rushing them and stabbing them with its
broad rostrum. If disturbed it will drop to the ground and then scuttle
for cover or make short flights. If handled it will squeak alarmingly, and
may stab one's fingers.

The Masked bug is certainly an interesting insect, all the more so
because one can observe it in the comfort of one's own home.
Unfortunately, I have not yet encountered it in Britain. Possibly it is
declining, like the Barn owl and the cellar beetle, because the habitat
(outhouses, attics, stables efc.) is so rapidly being destroyed, converted
or modernised.

Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust Entomological Section

by Ron Carpenter
26 Peter Street, Deal, Kent CT14 6DG.
I would like to invite any members of the AES to join with me in the
formation of an entomological section of the SBBOT. The aim is that of

an active section in as many disciplines as possible in some 810
hectares of nationally important and diverse habitat.

For further information please contact me at the above address or
telephone 01304 381083.

AES Members' Day & AGM
Saturday 20th April 1996

at the Royal Entomological Society of London
41 Queen's Gate, London

10.00am — 4.30pm

36 Volume 55 + February 1996 47

The Living Carpet tile
by Clive Betts (4976)

Roseland, Poltimore, Exeter, Devon EX4 OXT.

It was an otherwise normal evening in our basement flat in Teddington,
Middlesex. I crossed the floor of the living room, checked the window
was locked, reached up and tugged at the edge of the heavy curtains.
The curtain did not budge. We did not usually close the curtains in this
room so, thinking the rail was a bit sticky, I pulled harder. Slowly, fold-
by-fold, the curtain material unfurled accompanied by a distinct tearing
sound.

Somewhat baffled I inspected the material. All along the bottom hem,
where the curtain had rested on the floor, dozens of small, silvery-grey
cocoons lay exposed, tiny trails of silk wafting from them where they
had been ruptured by my tugging. What on earth had made such a
large number of cocoons?

I lifted the curtain clear of the floor. The carpet tiles upon which the
curtain rested were composed of a coarse organic material like
horsehair and here they looked distinctly frayed and soggy; we had a
big problem with damp in this room.

Forgetting the cocooned curtains I bent down to prise up the carpet
tile. It moved. As I lifted one edge, the other edge gently wriggled away
from me. I flipped over the tile and gazed with astonishment at some
fifty or so fat, white larvae munching merrily away at the base of the
tile.

Each larva was about ten millimetres in length and had a shiny
brown head and thorax. I prised up the adjacent tile: another thirty
larvae; the next one, twenty or so more; and so on around the edge of
the room. I ended up with over 380 larvae and 40 damaged tiles, some
tiles with nearly 50mm of carpet eaten away. The larvae, clearly
lepidopterous, were eating and tunnelling in the black tar-like base of
the tiles, leaving the hairy covering almost intact: from above, unless
you looked closely (or trod on the tile), the damage was mainly
undetectable.

The larvae were only present in the tiles around the edge of the
room. Here it was damper and did not suffer too much trampling. They
were at their densest by the window and occupied tiles up to one
metre from the room's edge, although only in small numbers (three or
four per tile) in the more remote tiles.

48 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society 36

At the time I was working for (the then) Commonwealth Institute of
Entomology as a microlepidopterist and I had a feeling I recognised
these larvae from somewhere. Sure enough, the following day I
captured and identified an emerging adult. My living carpet tiles were
in fact the larvae of the Brown house moth Hofmannophila
pseudospretella, a magnificent name for a small and rather
unspectacular moth! It ranges from about 8mm to 15mm in length, and
is silvery-brown with long antennae and fringed wings. Frequently seen
in homes, it can cause serious damage to woollens and other fabrics
but I have not heard of Hofmannophila being associated with such
wholesale destruction of carpet tiles.

The males tend to run rather than fly when disturbed and they are
good at sneaking in between folds of material, cracks and crevices to
escape detection. The larvae need 80% humidity to complete their
development: our damp basement flat, coupled with the food supply
from our floor covering, created a perfect environment for the larvae.

As for the carpet tiles: I spent a whole day lifting each tile, taking it
out of the house and shaking free its inhabitants. I rather sneakily
returned every tile to its former place and hoped any future purchasers
would not notice that the floor covering was only about 70% tile, 20%
larval droppings, silk and detritus, and 10% nothing .. .

A note about identifying household insect pests: there are one or two
useful books which will give you a good idea of at least the Order of
insects with which you are dealing, and usually can frequently guide
you to a precise identity. Insects like the microlepidoptera can be
difficult to identify to species, but most indigenous pests in the UK are
well known and readily identified without resorting to tortuous
taxonomic keys. If you are having trouble coping with insects in and
around the home try contacting your local environmental health officer
for advice in the first instance. Here are some books worth looking at
plus the guide I used to confirm the identity of my moth.

Mourier, H., Winding. O. & Suneson, E. (1977). Collins Guide to Wildlife
in the house and home. 224pp.

Hicken, N.E. (1964). Household Insects Pests. Rentokil Library. London.
Hutchinson. 172pp.

Betts, C.R. (Ed.) (1987). CIE Guides to insects of importance to man.
1 Lepidoptera. Wallingford & London: CABI & BMNH. 262pp.

4 Volume 55 « February 1996 49

Glow-worms in Wales

by Sharon Flint

7 Church Brow, Halton on Lune, Lancaster LA2 OLS.

iIngeatyveiuly 1995 4my husbandeand dawere engaged in‘ an
entomological excursion to Anglesey. We were camped just on the
border of Newborough forest, on the south-west of the island, within
an easy reach of Llanddwyn island and Newborough Warren.

The 5th of July saw our first sighting of two male Lampyris noctiluca,
one in each loo on the campsite in the daytime (SH422652), both were
looking rather worse for wear and so we took them as specimens. Our
next sighting was at the Clynnog, main road entrance to Newborough
Forest. Here on the road verge were twelve adult male Lampyris
noctiluca. All were walking in roughly the same direction, into the
forest, through the grassy sandy verge (SH415649). What were they
doing out in daylight in the morning and where were they going? We
do not know!

Then, on the 7th of July, we explored Newborough Warren, to find,
in the hollow of a large sand dune under some discarded cloth, at least
four dead male glow-worms among the debris. The weather that day
was cold and wet. Were the glow-worms, then, taking shelter and how
had they died?

I would be very pleased to hear of similar sightings and more about
the ecology of this somewhat intriguing beetle.

Purple and White-letter hairstreak butterflies in Hem Heath
Wood, Staffordshire

by Jan Koryszko (6089)
3 Dudley Place, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 JAY.

After a number of reports during 1995 of sightings in Hem Heath
Wood, Staffordshire of the Purple hairstreak (Quercusia quercus) and
the White-letter hairstreak (Strymonidia w-album). 1 visited the wood
with John Baronovski on the 17th August 1995 and it was not long
before we spotted these butterflies in the tree-tops.

It has been almost twenty years since I have seen these two species in
this wood. They were discovered in Hem Heath Wood by R.G. Warren,
the County Lepidoptera recorder in the early 1970s and since then they
have not been seen very often, until this year. No doubt the hot
summer of 1995 has made them more common in the wood.

50 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society |
Abbreviations

BENHS British Entomological and Natural History Society.
DNHAS Dorset Natural History and Archaeological Society.

ITE Institute of Terrestrial Ecology.

LCES Lancashire and Cheshire Entomological Society.

LNHS London Natural History Society.

LSL Linnean Society of London.

RES Royal Entomological Society of London.

RES(QG) RES Rooms, 41 Queen's Gate, London SW7.

Information from:

To make the diary effective contributions are needed from members.
Any relevant items should be sent to the Bulletin Editor. No charge is
made for entries. Please allow three months advance notice.

MARCH
1st

9th

11th

ITE Workshop — Butterflies for the new Millennium.
Monks Wood. A day's workshop costing £5 for participants.
I: Paul Harding 01487 773381.

BENHS Workshop — Molluscs.

Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance.

I: Dr Ian McLean,

109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.

BENHS Indoor Meeting — Landscapes and Wildlife Conservation
in New Zealand.

RES(QG) 18.00hrs. Talk by Margaret Palmer.

I: Dr Ian McLean,

109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.

Volume 55 « February 1996 51

LCES Indoor Meeting — North Wales Invertebrate Conservation.
Liverpool Museum, 19.00hrs.

BENHS Workshop — Aculeates.

Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance.

I: Dr Ian McLean,

109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.

DNHAS Natural History Meeting — Beetles: Well I quite like
Ladybirds!

Dorset County Museum, Dorchester at 19.30hrs.

I: Kate Hebditch 01305 262735.

LNHS Meeting — Lives and Loves of the Ladybird.

Linnean Society Rooms, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1, 18.30hrs.
Michael Majerus form the Department of Genetics, University of
Cambridge is the speaker.

I: Catherine Schmitt 0181 346 4359.

16-18th A Symposium on British Saltmarshes — geomorphology,

biodiveristy, restoration.

LSL, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1. A look at the structure and
biodiverity of British Saltmarshes. Day two consists of entomological
lectures including: The aquatic Coleoptera of British saltmarshes,
Factors affecting the Ground beetles of some British coastal habitats.
The Rove beetles of British saltmarshes, Lepidoptera of British
saltmarshes and Adaptive startegies of arthropods from UK saltmarshes.
I: LSL 0171-434 4479 or by fax 0171-287 9364

or by e-mail: marquita@linnean.demon.co.uk.

LCES Indoor Meeting — Leaf mining insects and their mines.
Liverpool Museum, 19.00hrs.

BENHS Indoor Meeting — Plant-Insect interactions with
particular reference to galls.

RES(QG) 18.00hrs. Talk by Margaret Redfern.

I: Dr Ian McLean,

109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.

20th

23rd

MAY

1st

14th

JUNE
5th

10th

Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society tf

AES AGM & Members' Day.

At the RES(QG). Doors open from 10.00hrs for morning coffee.
There will be four talks given during the day and members are
invited to bring along specimens for identification if they so
wish. The AGM takes place at 14.30hrs. Free refreshments will be
available during the day. For further details see inside back cover
of this Bulletin or the insert.

I: Wayne Jarvis 01582 486779.

BENHS Workshop — Saw/flies.

Please contact organiser for details and to book in advance.

I: Dr lan McLean,

109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.

DNHAS Natural History Meeting — The elusive white — Butterfly
bunting in Columbia.

Dorset County Museum, Dorchester at 19.30hrs.

I: Kate Hebditch 01305 262735.

RES Meeting — Title to be announced.

RES(QG) Tea 17.00hrs, Meeting 17.30hrs. A talk will be presented by a
member of the Ecological Special Interest Group.

I: RES 0171 684 8361.

BENHS Indoor Meeting — Sex, Parasites and Venereal Disease in
Ladybirds.

RES(QG) 18.00hrs. Talk by Dr Mike Majerus.

I: Dr Ian McLean,

109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.

RES Meeting —AGM € President's Address.
RES(QG) Tea 17.00hrs, Meeting 17.30hrs.
I: RES 0171 684 8361.

INHS Meeting — Invertebrate Conservation at Home and Abroad.
At the Linnean Society Rooms, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1,
18.30hrs. Dave Clarke, Head Keeper of Invertebrates, London Zoo is
the speaker.

I: Catherine Schmitt 0181 346 4359.

Published 20th February 1996 by the Amateur Entomologists' Society
(Registered Charity No. 267430), from 4 Steep Close, Orpington, Kent BR6 6DS.

MIDLANDS
ENTOMOLOGICAL
FAIR

Granby Halls, Aylestone Road, Leicester

Sunday 31st March 1996
10.30am until 4.30pm
Adults 41.50 under sixteens 50p

All major dealers in attendance.

LIVESTOCK — PAPERED STOCK
COLLECTING AND BREEDING EQUIPMENT
BOOKS AND PERIODICALS — AFFINITY GROUPS
INSECTS — INVERTEBRATES
LARGE REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN SECTION

EVERYTHING FOR THE ENTHUSIAST — SEVENTY STANDS
Ample car parking
Bar and cafeteria

Enquiries:

Jack Harris — 01455 846310

Diary note: Christmas Fair — 1st December 1996

The Moths and Butterflies of F- E BN
Great Britain and Ireland —- Volume 3 HARLEY
(Yponomeutidae to Elachistidae) os

edited by A. Maitland Emmet —

We must first apologize for the many delays in publishing this volume due to a combina-
tion of circumstances beyond our control. We can now announce that it has reached the
production stage and are therefore offering readers a last chance to purchase it at the pre-
publication price.

Volume 3 covers about 240 British species in the little-known microlepidoptera families
Yponomeutidae, Epermeniidae, Schreckensteiniidae, Coleophoridae and Elachistidae.
Like previous volumes, it is written by a team of authors with specialist knowledge of the
families they describe. The Yponomeutidae are treated by David Agassiz; the Eper-
meniidae by Charles Godfray and Philip Sterling; the Schreckensteiniidae (represented
by only one species) by A. Maitland Emmet; the Coleophoridae by A. Maitland Emmet,
with important contributions by John Langmaid, Keith Bland and Martin Corley; and the
Elachistidae by Keith Bland. Distribution maps on a vice-county basis are provided for 234
species.

The nine colour plates of adults have been drawn by Richard Lewington who has also
depicted the larval cases of all the coleophorid species. Genitalia drawings for critical
yponomeutid species have been drawn by Tim Freed; those for all the coleophorids are
by Professor Jézef Razowski of Krakow, author of a monograph on the Polish Coieo-
phoridae; and those for all the elachistids are by Keith Bland.

Following the practice of other volumes in the series, there is a special introductory
chapter, by David Agassiz, on established migrant and adventive Lepidoptera in the
British Isles. There are also extensive reference and index sections.

This volume contains a considerable amount of original research, particularly of the
early, hitherto undescribed stages of many species, and also brings together and greatly
augments information on these families published in Continental works making it
available for the first time to English-speaking lepidopterists. It will be of great vaiue to
entomologists both in the UK and overseas.

approx. 400pp., incl. 9 col. pls., 8 duotone plates of larval cases, several hundred text figs
and 234 maps. ISBN 0 946589 43 7 H/B
price on publication approx. £70.00

pre-paid pre-publication price (c.w.o. by 31.3.96) £55.00

The Flora of Hampshire NEW!

by Anne Brewis, Paul Bowman and Francis Rose
Also of great interest will be the first Flora for nearly a century of this botanically and
entomologically rich county.

408pp., incl. text figs and mono. & col. plates; 579 distribution maps.
H/B ISBN 0 946589 348 £45.00; P/B ISBN 0 946589 53 4 £25.00 (p. & p. £3.00 extra)

To order copies of the above titles, or for complete catalogue and details of SPECIAL
TERMS available on many existing publications, please complete the coupon below:

To HARLEY BOOKS, FREEPOST, Great Horkesley, Colchester CO6 4YY (01206 271216)
| enclose my cheque/P.O./Please debit my charge card for

copy/copies of MBGBI Volume 3 @ £55.00
copy/copies of The Flora of Hampshire @ £45.00/£25.00
Access/Visa/Amex a/c no. p. & p. (Flora only) £
Total £
N.B. Please quote exact account name and address.
and/or details of special terms
Address

BIRTHDAY PRESENT PROBLEMS? = “eit Gard No. Expiry Pete
Why not give a years subscription to
Country-side and membership of the

BRITISH NATURALISTS’
ASSOCIATION

Hon. President: LORD SKELMERSDALE Address
Hon. President of the Youth Section: DAVID
BELLAMY BSc., PhD, FLS FIBiol.
The BNA is a national body for naturalists and offers:-
Field Activities for everyone
Lectures
Branch programmes throughout the country
Journal COUNTRY-SIDE
Field trips in the UK and abroad SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Natural history publications endorsed by the BNA
at reduced prices for members Ordinary members
Insurance cover on branch and national activities (or if entitled to a state Retirement Pension... £10.00 p.a.)
Blake Shield annual competition for young people

Free Pack of WILDLIFE Notelets for every Family members
new subscription (In which there is at least 1 ordinary member . . . £3.00 p.a.
If you are interested in WILDLIFE, NATURAL HISTORY, (per family)
CONSERVATION - Send your subscription with the AFFILIATED BODIES - Particularly suitable
coupon on the right to: for School Natural History Societies and

BNA, 48 Russell Way, Higham Ferrers, Biology Departments
Northants NN9Q 8EJ (small addition for Branch Membership)

Youth members

ARE YOU MISSING OUT?
THE
ENTOMOLOGIST'S
RECORD
and Journal of Variation

Publishes notes, observations, articles and reviews,
mainly on the Lepidoptera and Coleoptera of the British Isles and Europe.
Founded in 1890 by J. W. Tutt, and still going strong, we publish six issues a year —
alternating with the AES Bulletin. This means there is now a first class entomological
journal available every month of the year!
Our subscription price is £20 per year. If you would like to see a specimen copy, please send
your name and address, and a couple of second class stamps to cover postage to:

The Editor, 14 West Road, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2QP.

Write now! You never know what you could be missing.

The Entomologist's Record is an independent, non profit making journal.
To ensure high standards of production we use Cravitz Printing Company.

A NEW REPRINT FROM THE
AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY

PRACTICAL HINTS FOR THE FIELD LEPIDOPTERIST by J.W.Tutt

Written in three parts at the turn of the century, this book has been reprinted
because it still represents the most comprehensive field guide covering both
macro and microlepidoptera. Parts I to III all give a month by month guide to
which species and stages to look for and how to find them. Part III also contains
an extensive biological account of the early stages and how to keep, rear and
describe them. 422 pages, Hardback. (Reprinted 1994). A separate supplement
has been prepared which cross-references old to current scientific names and the
English names of the species covered. Total price only £21.00.

OTHER TITLES AVAILABLE FROM TH A.E.S. INCLUDE

Habitat Conservation for Insects - A Neglected Green Issue

(Hardback 262 pages, 15 figures+ 32 pages colour plates). . . . . . £12.00
A Lepidopterists Handbook (136 pages, 32 figs, 13 plates) . . . . . £7.50
Breeding the British Butterflies (60 pages, 6 figures,5 plates) . . . . £3.95
Breeding the British and European Hawkmoths (56 pages) . . . . . £3.95
Practical Hints for Collecting and Studying |
Microlepidoptera (40 pages, 11 figures) . . . £3.40
An Amateurs Guide to the Study of the Gentalia of pepidopion Gen) sae ee s
A Silkmoth Rearers Handbook (Hardback, 225pp + 32 colour

plates showing 74 photographs of larvae and adultmoths) . . . . .£13.75
Killing, Setting and Storing Butterflies and Moths (19 pages) . . . . £2.85
The Study of Stoneflies, Mayflies and Caddis Flies (44 pp, 10 figs.) . . £3.40
Collecting and Studying Dragonflies (24 pages, 12 figs, 2 plates) . . . £2.35
The Hymenopterists Handbook (226 pages, illustrated). . . . . . . £8.50
Revised Flight Tables for the Hymenoptera (24 pages). . . . . . . £2.00
A Coleopterists Handbook (Hardback, 300 pages, illustrated) . . . . £15.50
Host.plants,of British Beetles.24 pages)in.. ies cscs See ee Se eee 00
A Dipterists Handbook (260 pages, illustrated) . . . . So e9.50
Rearing and Studying Stick and Leaf-Insects (73 pp. 43 figs. 7 nla: o> £9.00)
Rearing and Studying the Praying Mantids (22 pages, 9 plates) . . .~ . £2.85
Rearing Crickets in the Classroom (12 pages, 2 plates). . . . . . . £1.80

All the above publications sent post free to U.K. addresses. Outside U.K. please
add 10% to order value for postage by surface mail. For postage by air-mail
outside Europe please add 30% to order value.

Please make all cheques/postal orders payable to 'AES Publications’ and send to:
AES Publications, The Hawthorns, Frating Road, Great Bromley,
COLCHESTER CO7 7JN. Telephone 01206 251600

AES MEMBERS' DAY AND
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday 20th April 1996

at the Royal Entomological Society of London, 41 Queen's Gate, SW7

HOW TO GET THERE
there is no car parking facility at the R.E.S. and it is therefore strongly advised that public
ransport is used.

3y Train: The nearest mainline station is London Victoria from which the under-
ground or bus systems should be used.

3y Underground: South Kensington Station is served by Piccadilly, Circle and District Line

trains.
Gloucester Road Station is served by Circle and District Line trains.

To Hyde Park
Imperial College of Science
Technology and Medicine

imperial 7S EEE Road

Royal Entomological a | (Rosai Entoinolonical Soulety
41 Queen’s Gate

Queen’s Gate en’s Gate Place Science
Museum

$s
: 3
& 4
5 5 Victoria and
5 Naturai History Museum ‘Ss Albert Museum
Baden Powell oO 2
House x

A4 Cromwell Road

to
oe
Ej
A
THe outh Kensington Tube

Cromwell Piace

Harrington Road (Piccadilly, Circle and District Lines)
Pethan, a
ec
4
Ro
on
ave
out BE 0 50 100

Metres

mm, | he ae ‘
Bulletin

of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society

7
7

CONTENTS |
Junior Section: INombeér-5. 20)28 ee ea a ee 3 |
J. Hay. Sheep nostril botfly (Oestrus ovis): Larval infestation of the conjunctiva of a
B@GOUNIN. 252.5222 52S Asta ee doe 23s =
W. Jarvis: Some notes on the summer of'95: .....:... Sy ; 3
A. Wakeman-Dawson. Ringlet (Erebia) butterflies in Greece. ..............ceseseeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 5 a
@. Eetts..the livme carpet tle: spaces saleetannssUlwaance Geert suey sso Seee ees, ee eee Az
:
Short Communications |
M. Pennington. Red admirals and washing lines .0............:seesceesseceeeeescensceeeeeeeeseeeees 2 |
R.. Eades. A Feathered ranunculus on board) .2..2 22.2): ee I
L. Winokur. Never mind the molluscs . . . Here come the moths! «0.0.0.2... 23 |
D. McNamara. Son of Silver Y: Note on Autographa gamma. ..........::1eccsesceeeteeeeeteeees 1
P. Roy. Notes on the Silkmoths Rearer's Handbook. ....:..2...---2.-Ses-c<:02-eeoen snes 29
B. Gardiner. Foodplants of Swallawtail larvae. .....-..... 2.2 SO] 5
D. McNamara. A note on Bacillus rossius, the Corsican sfick INS@GH <2. ean eee Seed
G. Best. What's tna name? <2..2 ie 32 |
C. Jones. New records-for Wales: ..c....5.05.0cc cee 36
B. Dickerson. The Brown argus (Aricia agestis) in Huntingdonshire (VC31).. ............. 37 }
M. Clausen. Unidentified caterpillar in Saurland, Germany. ..............::csscceeseesseeeseeees 38
C. Nicholls. Inseet:translocations» .....-..--24<062ccctenees ee 38 |
J. Koryszko. A rare find at Wyrley Common, Staffordshire. ...............:::::sceeeeseeeeeeeeees At ots
A. Picknell, R. Eades & B. Phelan. Dragonflies — Food for hobbies? Some answers. 42 :
F. McGann. A Magpie moth: in Ayrshire. .....-6..0-.<.con ae eee Ae |
B. Gardiner. Banned nets leads to inaccurate records. ....2.:<....:<2cecesece--ccesseeereecnnee=see 44
M. Barclay. Bug unmasked, 5...2..5.2. occ. cccice acetal sees canacencuctachbanceseg cece ee 45
R. Carpenter. Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory Trust Entomological Section. ............ 46 .
S..Flint.:Glow worms in Wall@s.........:.3ce0. (cates ecceencscensect teseessns tee te
J. Koryszko. Purple and White-letter hairstreak butterflies in Hem Heath Wood, 49
StahOnAShines .cocs cca eck seas esas enact onda /ecmemhntcn ns eeabees ce taceet scat Rete ec 49
Ecditeiiall 03, csciecssaecsots wx pha cia Geweannemapeeeh meen piace amend Oy Rees 1
Book Reviews — Wandelnde Blatter, Stab-und Gespenstschrecken ........::cesssceeeeeeeeeees 39
Insectes: un autre Monde parMi NOuS (JOUrMal) ...........seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 40
Diary Date. 0.0 i. .ccsccccesessuttonnecccednunecbasauttanstadnsassete ckaneus eben et tees ce CCSah Ge GaSe ne 50

Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. Ltd., 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA.

rere

Volume 55 ¢ Number 405

>
<
as oe
eB)
©)
= =
= =

Founded in 1935

Where to write
For all Society business, please write to:

AES
PO. Box 8774
London SW7 5ZG

Officers of the Society
President: Rob Dyke
Secretary: Wayne Jarvis
Treasurer: Andrew Locke
Registrar: | Mark Colvin

Bulletin Editor: - Wayne Jarvis
General Editor: Mike Bonsall
Advertising Secretary: Rob Dyke
Exhibition Secretary: | Roy McCormick
Youth Secretary: Darren Mann
ICN Editor: David Lonsdale
Wants & Exchange: Caroline Willmot

Habitat Conservation Officer: Martin Harvey

Subscriptions: _ First subscription (including entrance fee) £12, or £8 under
18. Renewals £10 or £6 under 18. Overseas members £12.
Subcription due by the 1st January each year.

Advertising Rate: The following charges apply to adverts in the body of the
Bulletin. Full page £60, Half page £40, Quarter page £25.
Insert charges available on request to Advertising Secretary,
address as above.

NOTICE
lt is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or theories, expressed he pages urmai are s
those of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings ancial grants offered or sous quests ne
information, are accepted as bona fide. Neither the Ec Officers and Council o Society is Trustees
be held responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that might be sustained by reliance there

OL( GY Lf 3RARY ||

sherborne, =U DT9 4QN. Tel 01935 “oF MiisclueeNd THD

ane

Catalogue
of livestock
specimens and
equipment.

| ie Sy 1996
|
i

Please mention
AES.
5Op in stamps
would be greatly
appreciated.

ALSO

on request,
Specialist
Catalogues of
British, European
and Exotic
set and papered
specimens

“Worldlife

Registered charity

At Compton House, Nr. a Cine Worldlife
has evolved from Worldwide Butterflies.
As well as magnificent butterfly displays,
» conservation organisations are showing what
“ais being done for the environment, and
how all can become involved.

Situated on A30 Yeovil-Sherborne Road.
Open daily Apr-Sep. Tel 01935 74608

E.W. CLASSEY LTD

ENTOMOLOGICAL BOOKS BY MAIL SINCE 1949

Antiquarian, second-hand and New books
Special offers and forthcoming book news
Booksearch service. Please send your “wants” list
Regular free catalogues and specialist lists

Books bought

Valuations

Oxford House,

Marlborough Street,
Faringdon, -

Oxon SN7 7DR UK

Tel. 01367 244700 Fax. 01367 244800

Our Faringdon shop has a large stock of Entomological & Natural History books and prints

MICROSCOPES
* Specialist suppliers of stereo

RESEARCH miciocsopee (or EOE EME

studies.

ASSOCIATION All instruments suitable for

photography and drawing

18 NORTH ROAD attachments.
Large stocks of used
CARDIFF RBcrdion, inatunnente rom
CF1 3DY Books, slides, stains, equip- te

ment — the complete service.

For Scientific and Technical 30 page illustrated catalogue
information on Bees (Apoidea) plain appiceiatee

especially Honeybees (ApisSP). Telephone helpline for
enquiries and viewing

appointments

0272 591551
Please write to the above address for open until 10pm daily.
details of publications and membership.
A specimen copy of “Bee World” is
obtainable for SOp. BRUNEL MICROSCOPES LTD
Unit 8, Pickwick Workshops, Park Lane,

Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 OHN

WATCH OVER !rust
ESSEX
‘ SUPPORTER
\
.
SS SN

bon 4

aa
7

PRINTING
COMPANY LIMITED

1 Tower Hill,
Brentwood,
Essex CM14 4TA.
Tel: (01277) 224610
Fax: (01277) 262815

THE 2nd E.L.G, SPRING
ENTOMOLOGICAL FAIR

\\
(i)

SUNDAY 12th MAY 1996

PATTISHALL VILLAGE HALL (between Pattishall and Astcote),
Nr. TOWCESTER, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

* MAIN LIVESTOCK DEALERS ATTENDING *
*BUTTERFLY/MOTH LIVESTOCK & SPECIMENS *
* INSECTS, SPIDERS, EQUIPMENT & PLANTS *
* EXCELLENT RANGE OF LEPIDOPTERAL EINES ROS EEE 8 :
1?)

* OPEN 12.00 — 4.00pm * NORTHAMPTON
Refreshments available

ADULTS £1.00 CHILDREN 50p
E.L.G. CARDHOLDERS 50p

Tel: 01327 830853 (Mike Bayley)

Tel: 01909 550272 (Paul Batty) ~
Sout

EXHIBITION NOTICE

AES ANNUAL EXHIBITION

SATURDAY, 5TH OCTOBER 1996
KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE

Staines Road, Sunbury, Middlesex

Doors open at llam e Admission £1.00

Members free on production of pass to be issued with the
August Bulletin.

For further information please write to:
The AES, PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG.

The cover of this issue of the
Bulletin depicts the head of a

OF the Amateur Entomologists” Society fly abanus bromicus).

Volume 55 * Number 405 April 1996

ISSN O266-836X Editor: Wayne farvis BSc

Photo: Nick Holford

ulletin

L ihe ue Entomologists’ Society

Volume 55 ° Number 405 April 1996

Editorial

Increasingly over the years, the collection of insects has been seen as
unacceptable throughout Europe by the general public. Indeed, feelings
in some European countries have resulted in collecting effectively
becoming forbidden. This in turn, has severely reduced or halted the
recording or monitoring of insects species.

In the UK, there are numerous natural history societies which all
have their own views on collecting. Some are totally against it, except
for the gathering of scientific knowledge. There are, however,
“extreme” conservationists that would welcome legislation banning all
collecting.

The collection of specimens in the field must continue in furthering
our knowledge of the science of entomology. It is fundamental that the
pieces of as many ecological jigsaws are put into place as soon as
possible if we are to save species that are threatened. Without the
knowledge to put these jigsaws together, conservation will not be
based on any understanding. However, the collection of insects as a
hobby along the lines of “stamp collecting” is, I feel, another matter. In
saying this, the breeding and setting of captive bred (and I stress
captive bred) stock, does littlke harm, and gives great pleasure, as well
as having great educational value to the entomologist.

The AES Exhibition which is held annually, is obviously a large insect
fair, selling much livestock and deadstock. The vast majority of traders
obtain their specimens from captive bred stock or sell set specimens
which were collected many years ago, when collecting was more
acceptable. The AES is aware that it faces a major problem with the
Exhibition with the sale of specimens, but similarly does not feel that
the indiscriminate ban of the sale of these specimens would achieve
anything. Britain has one of the most comprehensively studied and best
known insect faunas in the world, largely through the work of the
amateur. A lack of insect recording and monitoring due to a ban on
collecting may actually tie the hands of the conservation bodies that
need the data to fight land developers.

54 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36

The Council has, therefore, decided that certain species of insect,
which are so seriously threatened by extinction, are not acceptable for
trade at the AES Exhibition or by inclusion in the Society's Wants and
Exchange List, with immediate effect. Rather than compiling an AES list
of species, we have decided to use the following established lists as
grounds for not accepting species for sale:

British specimens of species listed in the Insect Red Data
Book of Britain

IUCN Red list of threatened animals
EC Habitats Directive

The Biodiversity Action Plan

These lists comprise over 1000 species, although many are very
small, very local and very rare. They are, therefore, unlikely to be
offered for sale at all. However, those species which are included
which are likely to be offered for sale include: .

The Mexican red kneed tarantula, the Lepidoptera; Ornithopteras
aesacus, O. dlexandrae, O. chimera, O. croesus, O. meridionalis, O.
paradisea, O. rothchildi, O. tithonus, Papilio antimachus, P. homerus,
P. hospiton, Parnassius apollo, Troides andromache, T. dobertyi, T.
prattorum, Artogeia virginiensis, Lycaena dispar, L. hermes, Maculinea
arion, M. telieus, M. nausithous, Coenonympha oedippus, 6 Erebia
species, 3 Charaxes sp., Graellsia isabelae, Hyles hippohaes, Proserpinus
proserpina and the beetles C. intricatus and C. olympiae, Mormolyce
Dhyllodes, the ghost walker, four stag beetles including Lucanus cervus,
Buprestis splendens (the jewel beetle), and the rare European longhorns
Cerambyx cerdo, Rosalia alpina and Morimus funereus.

A full list can be obtained by sending a SAE to:

Insect List

AES

PO Box 8774
London SW7 5ZG.

These measures have been introduced in an attempt to strengthen
the status of the amateur, and will hopefully show that as amateurs we
are committed to studying insects in this country in order to aid their
conservation.

34 Volume 55 « April 1996 55

Easter break in Norfolk (13th to 18th April 1995)
by George Tordoff (9555)

68 Whitcliffe Road, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire BD19 3BY.

Faced with the prospect of spending the whole of the 1995 Easter
period studying for my forthcoming A-level examinations, I decided to
spend a few days with my parents in Norfolk. After all, surely six days
away from the books couldn't hurt?

Considering the time of year, as well as the lack of room available in
our car, I decided against taking my m.v. lamp and generator, opting
instead for the small portable Heath trap.

The small house in which we stayed was situated just a few miles off
the north Norfolk coast, in the village of Briston. A nice garden was
located to the rear which seemed ideal for the moth trap.

We awoke to glorious sunshine on the first day, and with the
weather being pleasantly warm I decided to go searching for butterflies.
Six species were recorded along the narrow country lanes, including
two male Brimstones (Gonepteryx rhamni) and a Comma (Polygonia c-
album). Unfortunately, the weather deteriorated after the first day,
becoming mucnh- cooler and cloudier. This resulted in no more
butterflies being recorded during our stay.

The nights were also cool, with a minimum temperature of about 5°C
on average. The Hebrew character (Orthosia gothica) and the Common
quaker (O. cerasi) were predictably the commonest species of moth at
light. A fine specimen of the Streamer (Anticlea derivata) was taken on
the 14th (my first record of this moth in six years of trapping) and an
immaculate male Purple thorn (Selenia tetralunaria) graced my trap
when it was left in nearby mixed woodland for one night.

After an hour or so of patiently scanning tree trunks on the 106th, I
came across a female Waved umber (Menophra abruptaria) about two
feet from the ground, making up somewhat for the strain caused on my
eyes during this time.

The final night was meteorologically one of the worst I have ever
bothered to put my trap out upon, with heavy rain, strong wind and
the temperature falling to 4°C. I was mildly surprised then to find three
moths hiding inside in the morning, including a singleton of the
Satellite (Eupsilia transversa) in remarkably good condition to say it
could have been on the wing for six months.

56 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society se

Ten species of moth were recorded in all, along with a list of 61
species of bird compiled by my father and me.

It was sad to leave on the long journey back to Yorkshire, where the
moth season doesn't even start to pick up until mid-June in our neck of
the woods. It even snowed for a time while passing through
Nottinghamshire, illustrating the unpredictability of the April weather in
Britain.

Mantids and Cockroaches Meeting and Study Group
by Phil Bragg

51 Longfield Lane, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 4DX. Tel: 01159 305010.

There appears to be a growing interest in Praying mantids and a
number of people have recently expressed interest in forming a mantis
study group. The major problems for anyone rearing mantids seem to
be finding a mate for their adults or homes for the surpluses! Finding
information about mantids, and identification of species, also present
problems, especially for beginners. To try to get around some of the
problems I propose forming a mantis study group which will produce a
newsletter and a list of names and addresses of interested parties.

To form the group, there will be a meeting at Dudley Zoo on
Saturday 18th May. The meeting will be combined with the Blattodea
Culture Group meeting. It is hoped that there will be a good selection
of livestock (both mantids and cockroaches) on show at the meeting
so, if you can, bring yours along! Access to the Zoo site will be by free
tickets, to get these and further details about the meeting send a
stamped addressed envelope to: Adrian Durkin, 8 Foley Road,
Pedmore, Stourbridge, West Midlands DY9 8RT. Please note this
address is only for details of the meeting or for information about the
Blattodea Culture Group.

If you are interested in mantids but are unable to attend the meeting,
send a stamped addressed envelope to me at the address above; I will
send out an information sheet after the meeting. I would be particularly
pleased to hear from anyone before the meeting if they wish to help
with the organisation of the mantis group.

34 Volume 55 «+ April 1996 57

Unbanned nets

by Maitland Emmet (1379)

Labrey Cottage, 14 Victoria Gardens, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 3AF.

I read Brian Gardiner's article on banned nets (Bulletin 55: 44) with
interest and sympathy, but I would have preferred to know all he had
to say to the crude Comma butterfly which rudely interrupted him in
the middle of a sentence.

The best way to deal with do-gooders is aggression. Here is an
account of an actual incident, though of course I can't remember the
precise words used.

Indignant lady: “Why must you catch all the butterflies?”

Me: “Actually, I'm not catching butterflies at all; but how splendid to
meet someone who is interested in conservation. Which conservation
body do you belong to?”

I. L.: “I beg your pardon?” I repeated my question with explanatory
amplification.

I. L.: “I'm not a member of any conservation body”.

Me? vetmayou “have the ‘effrontery to criticise me, who was a
contributing author to the Red Data Book on endangered insects; who
in my younger days joined working parties to improve habitats by
clearing scrub; who by my study of life histories have helped to provide
the information needed for planning conservation policy — you should
be ashamed! Now if you give me your name and address, I'll arrange
for your county Wildlife Trust to send you an application form for
membership, so that at least your money can help the cause you hold
so dear”.

At this point the indignant lady ran away, weeping copiously.

[Editor's note: The “crude Comma” on page
44 of February's Bulletin did indeed cut
Brian off short. In fact only one word was
omitted, this being “habitats”. Apologies for
this omission. ]

58 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 84

A Moo-ving experience

by Graham Best (7928)

12 Hortham Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol BS12 4JH.

My technique for sugaring is to paint it in strips onto plywood boards
which are stored and carried face-to-face in black polythene sacks. The
boards gradually get impregnated with sugar and it is a clean and
convenient way to carry them. It is also very economical on sugar
except on one occasion when I left the boards set up only to discover
when I returned to find a mooing herd of cows had licked it all off. I
found later that molasses were an ingredient of silage and the smell had
attracted them.

A visit to Prees Heath and Whixall Moss, Shropshire
by Jan Koryszko (6089)

3 Dudley Place, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 JAY.

On 5th August 1995, Derek Heath, Charles Byatt and myself set out for
Shropshire. It was a very hot and sunny day, and our first stop was to
visit Prees Heath to see the Silver-studded blue (Plebejus argus). We
were not disappointed and several photographs were taken. It was a
wonderful sight to see these beautiful butterflies. I also took an Ear moth
(Amphipoea oculea Linn) on a ragwort flower. It resembled one of the
many forms of the Large ear moth (Amphipeoa lucens Freyer) but on
dissection by Bernard Skinner proved to be A. oculea (I would like to
thank Bernard Skinner for examining the genitalia). It appears to be the
only example of this genus that has been recorded flying in sunshine.

We then moved on to Whixall Moss, where we saw large numbers of
dragonflies around the water-filled ditches. Also of note were the
number of trees which had been scorched by the very hot sun. Horse-
flies were abundant — they seemed to be attracted to my black sun-hat.
These flies had iridescent green eyes with orange patches on a dark
abdomen and they had a vicious bite, no doubt the females of Chrysops
relictus and a few Tabanus bromius. We saw a few Brimstone
butterflies (Gonepteryx rhamni), all males. The most abundant moth
was the Chevron (Eulithis testata Linn.) which we beat in quite large
numbers from trees and shrubs. Also recorded were the Manchester
treble-bar (Carsia sororiata anglica Prout.), the Blue-bordered carpet
(Plemyria rubiginata rubiginata D. & S.), the Flame (Axylia putris
Linn.) and one Dot moth (Melanchra persicariae Linn.).

3¢ Volume 55 « April 1996 59

Spain 1995
by M.J. Dawson (9130)

66 Tivoli Crescent, Brighton, Sussex BN1 5ND.

The main reason for this trip was to study the Ascalaphids
(Neuroptera). With the kind co-operation of the Agencia de Medio
Ambiente in Madrid, authorisation was obtained to capture insects,
including butterflies. Only four species were exempt, due to their rarity:
Iolana iolas Golas blue); Plebejus pyalon (Zephyr blue); Plebicula
nivescens (Mother of pearl blue) and Agrodiaetus fabressei (Oberthir's
anomalous blue). Of these, only one P. nivescens was seen and this
was out of the Madrid autonomous region.

The only EFrebia retained was one E. triaria (de Prunner's ringlet).
Our main hope was to find £. zapateri (Zapater's ringlet) but we were
probably too early, as this species flies in late July and August.

The main area studied was the eastern Sierra de Guadarrama, to the
north-west of Madrid. The most common ascalaphid was Ascalaphus
longicornis (Plate 96E, Fig. 1) which occurs in northern Spain and south
and central France. In most places where A. longicornis was flying
another ascalaphid A. cunii was found. In fact, the latter became more
common the farther east one travelled. They fly together in the air. It
was noticed that A. Jongicornis usually moved parallel to the ground,
while A. cunii had an inundating flight.

Only one specimen of A. baeticus was seen. This species is very
similar to A. cunii, the main difference being in the heavy cross-veins in
the forewings of the latter, as described by H.W. van der Weele in his
monograph of the Ascalaphidae 1908. One writer treats these two
species as one; there is, however, no overlap in the two forms, which
would probably occur if these were variations of one species.

A. coccajus (Plate 96E, Fig. 2) does not occur in the Madrid region,
although it is very common in northern Spain, particularly in the Eriste
(Huesca) area.

Expectations of finding the two ascalaphids Bubopsis agrioides and
Deleproctophylla variegata (Plate 96F, Fig. 3) were not fulfilled. Both
these are given by van der Weele as occurring in Spain.

The least frequently seen of the indigenous ascalaphids is Puer
maculatus. A few specimens have been captured in southern France,
around Marseilles, Nimes and Hyeres. Then none was seen for many

60 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

years until the capture of two specimens at Estagel, France, in 1981.
Another was seen in the Sierra del Negrete in Spain in 1982. Lastly, a
specimen was captured near Albarracin (Spain) in 1987. We searched
long and hard but none was seen. 7

Any information on ascalaphids would be welcomed for publication
with photographs of the European and North African species:

An orgy of male Stag-beetles Zucanus cervus L.)
by Michael G. Guye (10024)

1 route du Gat Mort, 33050 Cabanac et Villagrains, France.

During the hot dry summer evenings of June, Stag-beetles are
commonly seen on the wing here in my corner of the world in south-
western France. Their slow heavy flight together with their particularly
large size is unmistakable. On the evening of the 25th June 1995 I
decided to do a spot of gardening. At 10pm, as dusk was falling, I
heard a steady low humming noise at a distance of around ten metres
from where I was digging. On approaching the source of the hum I
realised it was coming from the large clumps of tall bamboos growing
at the side of the house. It appeared to be coming from one clump in
particular on the edge of the bamboo “plantation”. Closer examination
quickly revealed numerous male stag-beetles in flight, hovering up and
down the leaves and stems of this clump. Several more were walking in
a frenzied fashion on the leaf litter at the base of the plant, as well as
on the leaves and stems. On one stem, at about one and a half metres
from ground-level, there was a group of five males that seemed to be
engaging in a free-for-all fight. The bamboo plant seemed to be literally
“alive” with these beetles.

What was the cause of this “swarming” behaviour? Much to my
surprise a close search for female stag-beetles proved negative.
Therefore the attraction to this clump of bamboo was not due to the
presence of females. This clump of bamboos grows very close to the
soak-away for our domestic sewage. Could human contraceptive pill
residues in this waste have been absorbed by the roots of the bamboo
and somehow made the plant sexually attractive to male stag-beetles?
Perhaps this idea is a bit far-fetched. Can anyone offer any other
possible explantation for the above observation?

36 Volume 55 « April 1996 61

Hanging around in the woods: Long-leggedness in a leaf beetle

by Richard A. Jones

13 Bellwood Road, Nunhead, London SW15 3DE.

Lankiness is a characteristic typical of many leaf beetles of the
subfamily Clytrinae, but unlike other long-legged insects, it is the
disparity between the long front legs and the relatively shorter middle
and hind legs which gives the beetles their distinctive form. This long-
leggedness, particularly pronounced in the males, has earned the group
the American name “baboon beetles” (eg Arnett, 1993).

The subfamily contains few species; in Britain only four are recorded
(Kloet & Hincks, 1977); in central Europe 24 (Mohr, 1966); in Australia
two (Lawrence & Britton, 1994), and in the USA about 40 (white, 1983).
Erber (1988) gives a table of world-wide distribution of this and other
subfamilies of the Camptosomata. The habits of few species are not
known in any detail although it has long been known that many of the
larvae are myrmecophilous and construct a case from their frass (eg
Westwood, 1839; Erber, 1988).

One very interesting paper was written by Donisthorpe (1902) on
Britain's commonest species Clytra quadripunctata (L.) in which he
describes how the beetles mate and how the females hang from
branches whilst coating each individually-laid egg with excrement
before dropping it to the ground below, where it will hopefully be
picked up by ants and taken back to their nest. These observations are
summarised in his later work on myrmecophiles (Donisthorpe, 1927).

During a recent visit to the United States I had the opportunity to
observe a North American clytrine species mating and “hanging about”
in the herbage and offer a few observations on these curiously convex
and slightly clumsy beetles.

The evergreen oak woodlands of central Florida have a_ thick
undergrowth of herbs and shrubs. A medium-sized red and black
clytrine beetle, tentatively identified using Arnett (1993) was common
on the leaves of many of these shrubs. Mating pairs were frequent.

The males in particular have very long and curved front tibiae,
presumably to grasp the females during mating. Both sexes are convex
and semi-globose and during copulation the male hangs precipitously
to the back of the female. Together the pair orient to form an almost
right-angled coupling (Figure 1) appearing very ungainly.

62 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

Figure 1. Right-angled coupling of the leaf beetle.

While the male's hind legs grip the underside of the female's
abdomen, his middle and front legs hook their long claws under the
rim of elytra behind the middle. This is in marked contrast to Clytra
quad ripunctata the male of which clings to the disc of the female's
elytra with broad tarsal pads (Donisthorpe, 1902; Erbur, 1988).

Invariably, the mating pairs were seen attached to the edge of a leaf.
The female maintained a firm grip of the leaf edge using her legs like
clamps, one set pressing down on the upper surface, the other three
reaching beneath the leaf and pressing up onto the underside. Here the
beetle pair remained almost motionless while coupled.

The females were sometimes seen alone, also gripping the leaf edge,
but now hanging down from the leaf (Figure 2). Again, the beetle held
the leaf margin in a firm clamp-like clasp, but now using only front and
middle legs while the hind legs were held out along the body axis. The
head and antennae were pressed hard against the under surface of the
leaf and the body was held down at an angle of about 45 degrees.

34 Volume 55 «+ April 1996 63

Figure 2. A female leaf beetle hangs upside down from the leaf.

At the time I thought this was a novel resting or roosting behaviour,
or perhaps an unusual feeding technique, allowing for the beetle to
“hide” under the leaf, yet feel for vibrations in its feet and antennae
which were flattened against the leaf. However, after reading
Donisthorpe's (1902, 1927) descriptions and examining Erber's (1988)
photograph it would seem likely that these beetles were egg-laying.
Unfortunately I did not think to look for this event at the time.

During the process of oviposition in Clytra the back tarsi are used to
mould a coating of frass around each egg. Whilst the frass is being
applied, the egg is held in a depression at the tip of the abdomen and a
similar depression is present in the females of the Anomoea species.

In Anomoea the sexual dimorphism apparent in the front tibia length
is quite marked. In females the front legs are about 25% longer then the
middle pair, but in the males they are about 40% longer. Though the
males may use their long legs to clasp the females during mating, the
females too have relatively long legs which they use to goo advantage
when hanging down from a leaf edge — perhaps loitering with intent to

lay eggs.

64 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36

References

Arnett, R.HJr. (1993). American Insects. A Handbook of the Insects of America North of
Mexico. Sandhill Crane Press, Gainsville. p.374.

Donisthorpe, H. St. J.K. (1902). The life history of Clythra quadripunctata, L. Transactions
oe the Entomological Society of London. 1902: 11-24, Plate III.
, (1927). The Guests of British Ants: Their Habits and Life Histories. oS Routledge &
Sons, London. pp. 61-62.
Erber, D. (1988). Biology of Camptosomata Clytrinae — Cryptocephalinae — Chlamisinae —
Lamprosomatinae. In: Biology of Chrysomelidae. Ed. P. Jolivet, E. Petitpierre, & T.H.
Hsiao, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht/Boston/London. pp. 513-552.

Kloet, G.S. & Hincks, W.D. (1977). A check list of British insects. 2nd edn, rev. R.D. Pope.
Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects X1Q3): 73.

Lawrence, J.F. & Britton, E.B. (1994). Australian Beetles. Melbourne University Press,
Melbourne. p. 153.

Mohr, K.H. (1966). Clytrinae. In: Die Kafer Mitteleuropas. Ed. H. Freude, K.W. Harde &
G.A. Lohse. Goeke & Krefeld. 9: 115-122.

Westwood, J.O. (1839). An Introduction to the Classification of Insects: Founded on the
Naural Habits and Corresponding Organisation of Different Families. Longman,
London. Vol. 1, p. 386.

White, R.E. (1983). A Field Guide to the Beetles of North America. Houghton Mifflin,
Boston. p. 293.

595.78
by Graham Best (7928)

12 Hortham Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol BS12 4]H.

Oh, 595.78, what pleasures you introduced to me for so many years.
Newman, Hyde, South, Harmen, Stokoe, Ford .. . you filled me with
visions of flower-filled valleys, blues on the hills, browns in the
meadows and fritillaries in the woods. The kitchen perfumed with
darkest of Barbados sugar and rum and the pressure lamp hissing as
dark shapes filled the air. Apple-green and purple-striped privet larvae
clinging to twigs, pupae wriggling in beds of peat and atropos
squeaking as I held them gently but firmly. Monarchs flapping like bats
around the buddleia and the wings of Peacocks rasping as they flexed
their wings for the very first time. The merry dance Clouded yellows
led me over fields in 1947 and little faces appearing from rock hard
cases as Puss moths entered the world. One hundred wings of Adonis
shimmering in a cage and the thrill as dispar spattered the dock with
eggs. Undercliffs at Ventnor and my first Red underwing at m.v.

These and so many other delights you led me into. Thank you Messrs
Newman, Hyde, South, Harmen, Stokoe and Ford and thank you
595.78. God, how I loved that shelf.

t Volume 55 « April 1996 65

Marbled beauty in Glasgow

by Frank McCann (6291)
3 Langbar Path, Easterhouse, Glasgow G33 4HY.

Before Christmas I bought a small hand-lens, magnification 10x. I
wanted it for studying the markings on larvae which I might find.

I was at Westercraigs in Dennistown, Glasgow about one week
before Christmas and noticed a garden which had a growth of moss
and lichen on a wall surrounding it. I took off some moss and on
examining it I discovered two small larvae which I would identify as
the Marbled beauty species. I examined them on the spot with my lens
and noticed the shiny black heads of the caterpillars, the greenish body
colour and the raised black dots with hairs arising from them. They
were small, around quarter of an inch long. I put them in a small
container with moss and lichen. I found the species at various other
places — again it was under moss on walls etc. I searched for it at
Riddrie, Glasgow where my friend Margaret stays, but with no success,
until, when going towards St. Thomas's Church where there was a
cleaning operation of the red sandstone wall of the church. A man was
firing a powerful jet of water at the moss, lichens and algae growing on
the wail, I spoke to him briefly, and then walked on about two or three
yards. I took a small piece of moss from the red sandstone wall and on
examining the underside I found a small larva of the Marbled beauty
moth. I scraped some lichen off the wall further on and put it with the
larva and the moss into my small tobacco tin.

I also discovered the species at Swinton (three larvae); and just yards
from my front door at Langbar Path, on moss-covered debris on the
ground behind Queenslie Service Station, a garage on the Edinburgh
road.

I found other species as well around New Year. On Ist January I
found a caterpillar in a garden under a piece of newspaper near a
friend's house in Easterhouse. In confinement it fed on grasses and
various plants. I found a few more caterpillars — mostly Lesser yellow
underwings at Bargeddie Parish Church area and at Molinsburn, a small
village near Cumbernauld. All were found on pieces of paper efc, on
the grassy roadside verges. The date of finding the Marbled beauty at
St. Thomas's Church, Riddrie was 7th February. I was feeding my other
larvae on grass, a broad-leaved species from my garden, plus
dandelion, primrose, plantain and slices of potato and turnip when the
weather was too wet to supply them with leaves or grass. J also fed

66 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society sé

them on lettuce. It has been a good start to the year for me and I'm
looking forward to the coming months when a lot of species will be
even more in evidence and a bit easier to collect.

How long does a Devils coach-horse live?
by Jan Koryszko (6089)

3 Dudley Place, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 7AY.

On 2nd September 1994, after workmen had been in my house, I
noticed a Devils coach-horse beetle (Ocypus olens) running across my
living-room carpet. I captured it and gave it to my friend Mr Derek
Heath who kept it in captivity for 14 months. It was well looked after
with a rich diet of corned beef, chopped chicken and a small number
of other insects.

I would be most interested to know how long this beetle lives in
normal conditions, and whether the captivity diet helped it live longer.
There are not many books on Coleoptera which give this information.

Many years ago, back in 1972, I purchased two Camberwell beauty
butterfly pupae CVymphalis antiopa L.). They both hatched, one lived
for 12 months and the other almost 14 months. I fed them on sugar and
water with honey on cottonwool pads. I noticed that warm water on
the pads seemed to make them feed more often. During the winter they
were kept in a cool dark room, and every ten days or so I would bring
them into the warmth of the living-room where they would wake up to
feed and fly around the room for a while. They were then returned to
the cage in the dark room. During the summer they fed daily and were
kept in normal conditions. Undoubtedly some insects in captivity do
live longer.

Hornet moth record

by Jan Koryszko (6089)

3 Dudley Place, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 JAY.

On the 21st July 1995 Mr Alan Flannagan of Normacot, Longton,
Staffordshire, telephoned me at work telling me he had found a Hornet
moth (Sesia apiformis) sitting in his back garden on a fence, in the early
morning sunshine. It has been ten years since this species has been
recorded in Normacot, Longton, Staffordshire.

36 Volume 55 * April 1996 67

Notes on the genus Sinopieris in China

by Hao Huang

Qingdao Education College, China 200071.

In this paper, the female genitalia of the genus Sinopieris is examined
and compared with the genera Pieris, Pontia and Aporia, with the
conclusion that two old species, “Pieris” davidis Oberthur 1876 and
“Pieris’ davidis var. venata Leech 1891 belong to the genus Sinopieris.
All of the specimens here dealt with were captured by the author
between 1990 and 1993 and are preserved in my collection.

In my preceding paper (Huang, 1995), I described a new genus
Sinpieris Huang 1994 to comprise the “dubernardi-group” and a new
species Sinopieris gongaensis Huang 1994 mainly based upon the
external features and male genitalia. The morphological diversity in
wing shape, wing pattern and male genitalia between this genus and
Pontia (including Pontia callidice, the type species of the genus
Synchloe) has been well documented. Little however, has been
discussed in terms of the difference between this genus and the genus
Pieris. Sinopieris. differs mostly in the female, where there is the
presence of a postdiscal band in forewing space two. In addition,
Epstein (1979) has pointed out that there were no androconia to be
found on the entire “dubernardi-group”. The scent scales are also
absent in Sinopieris gongaensis. Since there is no stable diversity in the
male genitalia between Sinopieris and Pieris, | examined the female
genitalia of many typical species of these genera and those belonging
to Pontia and Aporia. Based upon the comparative morphology of
these structures I came to the conclusion that the genus Sinopieris was
a good genus which can be distinguished from Pieris as well as Pontia
and Aporia. :

Comparison of female genitalia
(Figures 1-3).

Accessory pouch
The corpus bursae has an accessory pouch in Aporia, Pieris, Sinopieris
and Pontia, except for Pontia chloridice.

Signum
In Aporia (1 examined many Chinese species), the signum is a single
long bilobed and dentate bar on the inner face of the dorsomedian

68 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

(1) Aporia hippia

(2) Pieris melette

(3) Sinopieris dubernardi

Figures 1-3.

Female genitalia consisting of lateral views of inner and outer genital
plates of right sides and corpus bursae of dorsal view of the corpus
bursae to show the signum (at top of each figure).

36 Volume 55 * April 1996 69

surface of the corpus bursae, distant from the opening of the ductus
bursae. In Pontia the signum is a single long bilobed bar as in Aporia,
but near the opening of the ductus bursae. In Pieris the signum is a
smelemoilobed?) plate “or pair “of “lobes on’ the “inner ‘face’ of « the
dorsomedian surface of the corpus bursae, sometimes (in Pieris melete,
P. napi, P. eurydice etc.) with a slender tape extended towards the
ductus bursae, weakly curved downwards in lateral view. In Sinopieris
(including “Pieris’ davidis and “Pieris’ davidis venataO the signum is a
single very long oar-like band extended along the dorsal margin of the
corpus bursae. Its broader part is also longer, more denate and much
closer to the opening of the accessory pouch in dorsal view. The
slender part is bent strongly downwards in the middle, and bent
strongly upwards near the end, giving a characteristic S-shape in lateral
view.

Ductus bursae

The ductus bursae is very long in Aporia, but slightly shorter and not as
long as the corpus bursae in Pontia , Pieris and Sinopieris. In these
three genitalia it is also colourless and non-sclerotised (except for
Pontia callidice).

Genital plate
In Aporia, the genital plate is conspicuously smaller and the dorsal
process much longer than in Pontia, Pieris or Sinopieris. The outer
genital plate is semi-circular in Pontia daplidice and Po. callidice, whilst
in Po. chloridice and other genera it completely envelopes the inner
genital plate.

Conclusion

Aporia

This genus is sharply different from Pontia, Pieris and Sinopieris not
only by its weak sexual dimorphism and forewing vein R4 not
obsolete, but also by its female genitalia: genital plate exceedingly
small with a long dorsal process and ductus bursae and its signum
being a bilobed bar on the inner face of the dorsomedian surface of
the corpus bursae.

70 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3

Pontia

This genus can be easily distinguished from Pieris and Sinopieris not
only by its wing-shape, wing-pattern and male genitalia but also by its
female genitalia: the signum being a bilobed bar near the opening of
the ductus bursae.

Pontia chloridice

(Type species of the genus Pontieuchloia) shows slight differences from
Pontia daplidice and Po. callidice in that the accessory pouch is absent
and the outer genital plate being non-semicircular. Therefore, the genus
Pontieuchloia probably merits being separated from the genus Pontia.
Pieris

Although there are several conspicuous morphological resemblances
between Pieris and Sinopieris, they are slightly different from each other
in the forewing postdiscal band and androconia and the female
genitalia. Pieris has a bilobed plate or pair of lobes as a signum, on the
dorsomedian surface of the corpus bursae, whilst in Sinopieris the
signum is undoubtedly longer, non-bilobed and with its slender part S-
shaped.

Sinopieris
As mentioned above this genus can be easily distinguished from other
genera noted here by female genitalia.

Snail-dwelling wasp
by Philip Wilkins (7607)
78A New Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3EQ.

Whilst walking in the Andalucian mountains near Ronda, I picked up
an empty snail-shell. On closer inspection, however, I discovered that it
was occupied by an insect. Try as I might, I failed to dislodge the
individual. I think the only way to have got it out would have been to
break the shell. Only the abdomen (orange and black), hind legs
(yellow) and wings were visible. The insect seemed to be a wasp, but I
could not be completely certain (Plate 96F, Fig. 4). The shell had clearly
not housed a live snail for some time. I would be interested to know
What the wasp was doing. Had it pupated in the shell? Would it be
laying eggs? Was it merely looking for food? Is there another
explanation?

3 Velumes5e April 1996 71

Winning the battle against pupal parasites

by Patrick Boireau

‘La Jungle des Papillons”, 309 avenue de Mozart, 00000 Antibes, France.

Translated from /nsectes, no. 84, 17 — 18 (1992) and reproduced with
permission from the author and OPIE.

All breeders of Lepidoptera have the disagreeable surprise some time or
other of seeing hymenopterous parasites or a tachinid fly emerge,
instead of the eagerly-awaited beautiful butterfly or moth. This is most
disappointing and impulsive breeders will not hesitate in giving vent to
their anger by squashing the parasites; those of a more phlegmatic
nature use a killing bottle charged with cyanide of potassium or ethyl
acetate. However, are you quite sure you have killed them all? We
know for certain that a single Swallowtail chrysalis can contain more
than fifty microhymenoptera.

If you receive specimens of native livestock and breed them, you will
be irritated, but it is not a major catastrophe. However, if you are
keenly interested in foreign species and import livestock from abroad,
ai Unpleasant imeident such as this can have more serious
Consequences. aS, tmere is’ the ;danger of these’ tropical parasites
becoming established in this country. Indeed, escapes are always
possible. It is not easy to control these microhymenoptera, compared
With’ spmttertiies: and: moths; on account of their small size, their
possibilities of adaptation must not be under-estimated and most
certainly not neglected. Finally, the situation can become critical for
anyone in charge of the butterfly houses which have been established
in Europe these last few years and which regularly import very large
numbers of chrysalids. It is absolutely essential for us to be aware of
the dangers involved when importing chrysalids and to act responsibly.
We must be able to identify chrysalids which have been attacked, so as
to control the parasites.

How to recognise parasitised chrysalids
A parasitised chrysalis can be recognised in two ways:

Careful examination on receipt.

Puparia and pupae of parasites which pupate outside the chrysalis can
sometimes be found by examining the surface of the chrysalis, the silk
used for spinning the cocoon and the packing material (cotton wool)

72 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

which was in contact with the chrysalis. I carried out. such an
examination of some pupae of Urania ripheus, and this enabled me to
detect some mites.

The larva or pupa of a parasite can sometimes be seen through the
shell of the chrysalis. This often happens with Pierids such as Eurema
and Delias. ae

Owing to the flaccidity of the cuticle between the abdominal segments,
the chrysalis appears to be somewhat longer and often becomes softer
when dead. This is an indication that the fleshy material inside the
chrysalis has liquefied. It can be caused by a large number of diseases,
mostly due to a virus. However, it sometimes means that parasites are_
present.

Change of colour. Abnormal brownish coloration.

Comparison with the species' normal biological cycle.

Given some experience and provided you know something about the
biology of the species received and those you breed, you will find a
butterfly usually spends less time as a chrysalis, compared with a
parasite. In the case of Papilio polytes, for example, where we have
experienced the highest rate of parasitism, the pupal stage rarely lasts
longer than about twelve days at 25°C. At the end of this period,
provided the chrysalis has not dried out and seems to be alive, given
its mobility and the flexibility of the abdomen, then it is most certainly
parasitised. In this case it is advisable to isolate the chrysalis in a test-
tube or a small transparent box, so that it can easily be kept under
observation. Above all, make sure you close the container, using a
very fine netting. A woman's stocking will do, but do not let the
parasites jostle each other for too long after they have emerged, as
some Hymenoptera can easily make a hole with their mandibles. They
should then be killed and sent to an expert who specialises in the
group to which the insect belongs. As a result, you will know which
parasite attacks a particular butterfly and at the same time you will also
provide research workers with material which can often be extremely
useful.

This is why it is important that chrysalids should always be arranged
in sequence in accordance with the pupation date or, if this cannot be
done, the date when breeding began; this will make it easier to cope
with whatever happens.

3é Volume 55 « April 1996 73

Besides, when importing entomological livestock, the breeder never
places an order for just one chrysalis per species, but expects to receive
a batch of chrysalids from the same location, and certainly from the
same breeding stock, which probably pupated on the same date or
thereabouts. If, for example, by the twentieth of the month you still
have two chrysalids left, while the others have produced butterflies on
the tenth, then there maybe something wrong.

How to control the parasites.

When chrysalids have recently been parasitised, the presence of foreign
bodies passes unnoticed. At least, at the present time, we have so far
not found a way to detect parasitism when in its early stages. This
explains why these chrysalids have not been put on one side when first
examined.

it eniewrecord laas been ‘kept of the pupation date or when the
chrysalids arrived, and if their development has not been scrupulously
followed, the parasites will emerge freely and it is then absolutely
essential to control them as soon as they emerge so that they cannot
attack healthy chrysalids.

With tins s.Object,., | propose two. solutions based on the
photosensitivity of these parasitic insects.

The first solution is best suited to those who only import.a smail
amount of livestock.

In this case, fie imported chrysalids are arranged in a well-sealed box
which does does not allow the parasites to escape; the ventilation-holes
are covered by wire netting with a very fine mesh. The box has one or
several transparent jars fitted into one side, with the top end of the jar
pointing inwards (see figure 1). Only one side is transparent (glass,
plexiglass, PVC, etc.). This could well be the door, but it must not be the
side containing the jars. This allows the sheasallicle to receive the light
and you can observe them at your leisure. If any parasites emerge, all
you have to do is to cover the transparent side so that the inside of the
box is completely dark. The jar will then be the only remaining
luminous point, and the parasites will immediately rush into it.

The second solution mainly concerns those who import large
numbers of chrysalids. Accordingly, this will apply especially to those
in charge of exotic butterfly houses. The principle is the same, but a
small chamber is used instead of a box. The following construction is

74 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ee

Chrysalids, arranged on
their support

Seal,

door/box After the door has been

covered, the parasites
will enter these jars.

Handle of
transparent door.

Fig. 1. Diagram of box for emergences, where small numbers of imported chrysalids can
be kept.

used at the Antibes butterfly house, which I have managed for the past
four years. This chamber, which we call the “emergence zone”, is
relatively well sealed. Seals are fitted around the door, and netting with
a fine mesh is used for the ceiling, to ensure that the chamber is well
ventilated. There is a large window-pane, which enables visitors to see
the chrysalids inside. The chamber is not lit, this large window-pane is
the only luminous point and the parasites make their way towards it as
soon as they emerge. This makes it easy for us to locate them when
they move about on the window-pane. We can then easily collect them
and then send them to an expert who can identify them for us.
Personally, I send them to Mr Panis of INRA, Valbonne, to whom I
would like to express my thanks. I draw up a card whenever one or
more parasites appear, giving details of the host (species, family, origin,
date of arrival, etc.) and the parasite itself (species, family, origin, date
of arrival, efc.). All this information will be invaluable to you as well as
to the expert specialising in Hymenoptera or Diptera, as the case may
be. This will be of mutual advantage and enable us to know these
fascinating creatures even better.

a Wolunmetse)aeeeerile1oa6 75

Explanatory notes
Nowadays parasites are divided into two large groups:

True parasites spend all or part of their life-cycle preying on one or
several hosts, but do not necessarily cause the death of the host.
Parasites are referred to as internal or external, depending on whether
their development takes place inside or outside the host.

Parasitoids complete their life-cycle by preying on just one host. They
necessarily cause the death of their host when they have completed
their parasitic cycle (definitions according to C. Riba and C. Silvy, 1989,
Combattre les ravageurs des cultures, INRA, 230pp.).

Most cases mentioned in this article concern parasitoids. However, I
have used the more familiar word parasites on purpose so as to
simplify the text.

A Long-tailed blue Zampides boeticus ) in Kent
by Barry Dickerson (8422)

27 Andrew Road, Eynesbury, St. Neots, Cambridgeshire PE19 2QE.

On 27th August 1995 eleven members of the Huntingdonshire Moth
and Butterfly Group held a field meeting in Kent. The object of the
meeting was to find and photograph the Adonis blue (Lysandra
bellargus) which, although the weather was not ideal, we managed to
find in reasonable numbers during the morning. After a short break for
lunch we drove to the Sugarloaf. Hill/Castle Hill complex, near
Folkestone, to look for other butterflies to photograph. It had now
become cloudier and was quite windy on the tops of the hills, but we
carried on regardless.

As we made our way back towards the cars one of our members
saw an unusual-looking butterfly feeding from a flower, he quickly
boxed. it and found it to be a Long-tailed blue. We dared not release it
for photography as we were sure it would quickly disappear from
view, so all the members, with cameras, photographed it in the plastic
box. We then tried to release it back onto the flower from which it was
taken, and I managed to grab a single shot of it as it walked from the
box, but it quickly took flight, disappearing into the distance almost
immediately.

76 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

A continental visitor

by Francis Farrow (10191)

“Heathlands”, 6 Havelock Road, Sheringham, Norfolk NR26 8QD.

On 12th August 1995, while walking over the Beeston Regis Common,

‘Norfolk I noted a small dragonfly of the darter type fly up from rest. It
flew high and as it passed overhead two conspicuous dark patches
were seen on its wings close to the body. After a while it again settled
and a stealthy approach revealed that it had amber-yellow coloured
areas on its wings, identifying the dragonfly as the Yellow-winged
darter (Sympetrum flaveolum), a migrant continental species.

The Common lies within half a mile of the coast and where I was
walking was a small bog fringed with sallow (Salix sp.), with black
bog-rush (Schoenus nigricans) tussocks and areas of Juncus sp. being
the predominant vegetation. In this areat four individual dragonflies
were present and two others were in the vicinity of a nearby pond and
stream. They all appeared to be males, apparently the more usual
visitor (McGeeney, 1986). The colour of the abdomen was generally a
pinkish-red to scarlet with black along the sides. The pterostigma was
also of a reddish hue as illustrated by the photograph I managed to get
(Plate 96G, Fig. 5).

When disturbed the dragonflies
tended to fly high (to the level of
the surrounding sallows i.e.-five to
six metres) and in a wide arc
before settling close to the ground

on a rush or flower-head (generally
less than 30cm high).

Y)
p

BY
DUR

if .

ny)
y

Earlier in the week, the local paper, The
Eastern Daily Press, had reported an influx
of continental insects at Great Yarmouth (40
miles east), particularly the Yellow-winged
darters and a number of Camberwell beauty
(Nymphalis antiopa) butterflies.

Reference

McGeeney, Andrew (1986). A complete guide to British dragonflies. Jonathan Cape,
London.

34 Volume 55 + April 1996 77

Humming-bird hawkmoth in Aylesbury
by Michael Pitt-Payne

18 Church Way, Stone, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP17 8RG.

In August 1994 we moved to a new house in Stone near Aylesbury
which has been built on a site which was previously a farm-yard. It
backs onto farmland and we have a clear view of more than nine miles
to the Chiltern Hills. The back garden is an area of 70 feet by 60 feet.
When we arrived it was a wilderness of uncultivated weeds with very
little sign of wildlife.

During the past year we have been working to create a garden which
will attract insects, birds and amphibians. The combination of a pond, a
bird table and a careful selection of plants has proved to be a great
attraction. What appeared to be a wilderness devoid of life twelve
months ago has become a regular haven for wildlife.

We have observed a good variety of butterflies and insects during the
summer. The highlight came at 7pm on the 31st August 1995, when we
observed a Humming-bird hawkmoth feeding on the clumps of lemon
bergamot which my son has planted all around the garden in great
profusion.

The moth took very little notice of us while we stood still watching it
hover before each plant in turn as it stuck its long tongue into the base
of the flowers to feed. It had a powerful flight: one moment it was
hovering within a few inches of our legs and the next it was twenty feet
away feeding at another plant.

After some time it disappeared and we have not seen it since, but the
memory of its grace and beauty will remain with us for years to come.

Humming-bird hawkmoth in Staffordshire

by Jan Koryszko (6089)
3 Dudley Place, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 7AY.

On 5th October 1995, while visiting the Potteries shopping centre,
Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, I observed a Humming-bird hawkmoth
(Macroglossum stellatarum, Linn.) flying around bedding plants and
visiting flowers of Petunia. The moth was seen for around ten minutes,
then it darted off at great speed in the sunshine.

78 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36

Hand-pairing Swallowtails
by R.C. Watts (7875)

Honeymead, Back Lane, Kingston Seymour, Clevedon, Avon.

I have bred Swallowtails (Papilio machaon) for many years and have
always hand-paired them quite successfully, although a bit of time was
spent trying to coax them together. I have read a lot of literature on the
subject regarding how to hold the abdomens and use the thumb-nail to
hold the male's claspers apart etc. A number of my friends were
unsuccessful and gave up in frustration, so I thought there must be a
better method and I hope those who use this method described below
will find it much easier and take a lot less time.

Methodology: One thin headless pin and one small block of wood the
size of a matchbox. The pin should be vertically positioned in the
centre of the block of wood. The male is held with wings together
between the forefinger and thumb with the legs up and the abdomen
facing out. I don't leave the abdomen sticking out too far as they tend
to wriggle too much. I then take the female in the other hand holding
her the same way — both abdomens should be facing together. I then
put the male's calipers against the pin about half way down it. The pin
is then edged between the male's calipers. Once this has been achieved
the male should be moved sideways a little — this will open
the claspers and the female can be put in position with the
male. They can then be slid up off the pin and held
together’ for. az-couple . of
<=) minutes until mating has
started. When their legs have
stopped wriggling and _ their
bodies stopped pulsing; mating
has usually commenced, and the
pair can then be hung up in a cage.
If they part within an hour mating has
not usually been successful and I try
again using another male. I find the best
times are mornings and evenings or when
the sun is not too hot and the butterflies are
not too active. The males can be used
several times and this method is successful
for a number of species.

Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Fig. 1. Ascalaphus longicornis (Spain 1995).
Male. Wingspan 48mm.

Fig. 2. Ascalaphus coccajus (France 1994).
Male. Wingspan 45mm.

PLATE 96E

Volume 55 + April 1996 36

LFS
~ SQ
mg @ es
ape SDs
ope Se SS

rome -
LS $F o

= ama” ,
Tes ce aa
A

aes

ELE

€ Ugleproctophyila variegata

Fig. 3. Deleproctophylla variegata (Greece 1995).
Wingspan 43mm.

“i : = =

lie! Rigs
” eA

. aa & 4 ‘
ie ag eee...
‘ ed

Fig. 4. A snail-dwelling wasp?

PLATE 96E

Fig. 5. The Yellow-winged darter
(Sympetrum flaveolum)
PLATE 96G

>
~
oO
rs)
oO
op)
w
~
a)
(@))
2
Oo
£
(e)
~
S
Lu
L
S|
o)
~
©
=
<I
co)
fe
~
rs
(o)
(2
‘-
&
5
jaa)

Volume 55 « April 1996

i cpa SY

{
Z
|
|

Fig. 7. A male Lopaphus brachypterus.

PLATE 96H

a4 Volume 55 * April 1996 79

A rare stick-insect from Singapore: Lopaphus brachypterus
(de Haan) 1842 with descriptions of the male and egg.

by Francis Seow-Choen

54 Mimosa Walk, Singapore 2880

and

Paul D. Brock

40 Thorndike Road, Slough SL2 1SR, England.

Introduction

The genus Lopaphus was first described by Westwood in 1859 when he
wrote “. . . body long, winged in both sexes. Mesothorax very much
elongated. Wings similar in form in both sexes, acruated, abbreviated,
varying in length from the extremity of the metathorax to the fourth
abdominal segment. Tegmina much smaller than the wings. Abdomen
long in both sexes. Legs long, unarmed, or with but small lobes or
leaflets”. The most distinctive feature, however, was the rudimentary or
short wings or wing covers.

Lopaphus brachypterus was first described from Sumatran specimens
by de Haan in 1842 as Phasma brachypterum. In 1859, Westwood
erected the genus Lopaphus and the species was called Lopaphus
brachypterus. In 1877, Wood-Mason reported an adult and several
nymphal females from Johor in Peninsular Malaysia and wrote a short
paragraph on this species. Redtenbacher in 1908 referred this insect to
the genus Candaules of Stal (1875) therefore calling it Candautles
oracoypierus.- None of these~authors “described the male insect,
although Wood-Mason stated that well developed organs of flight were
present in both sexes. In 1904, Kirby designated Lopaphus brachypterus
as the type species of the genus.

The first author and Issac Seow-En found two males and a female
Lopaphus brachypterus in the eastern parts of the Central Nature
Reserve of Singapore and have now raised several generations of these
insects.

Eggs and nymphs

These insects are prolific egg layers and 150-200 eggs are laid per adult
female per week. These light-bluish rounded eggs are flung several feet
away from the mother insect in the usual manner of stick insects.
Nymphs take from six weeks to hatch although hatching time may be
much longer. Nymphs are generally green in overall colour.

80 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

Adults

The male is a more slender insect. The head is slightly longer than
broad with very large eyes and very long antennae. The prothorax is
brown with dark lines and a few small tubercles. The mesothorax is
elongate with a number of small tubercles. The mesosternum is brown,
the metasternum is brown with the pleura apple-green. The mesonotum
is dark blue with three dark stripes. The abdomen is long and brown.
The final three segments are much reduced in length and slightly
broadened with the seventh segment being twice as long as the eighth
segment. The hind part of the ninth segment has a pale coloured patch
on either side. The anal segment is deeply incised in the centre. The
subgenital plate is rounded, reaching the end of tne ninth segment, and
the cerci are short. The elytra is oval and brown with a yellow margin.
The coastal area of the wings and the hind wings are brown and the
latter exceed the end of the fifth abdominal segment. The male insect
has a very good flight. The insides of the fore-legs are green otherwise
the fore-legs are brown with lighter brown tarsi. The middle and hind
femora and tibiae are green with the apical areas being dark brown and
the tarsi lighter brown. Small dark sub-apical spines are present on all
femora and the first segments of all tarsi are very long.

Fig. 1. A male Lopaphus brachypterus with details of the genitalia.

The head of the adult female is longer than broad with a few
tubercles present and possessing very long antennae. The prothorax
and the mesothorax have smaller tubercles. The elytra and coastal area
of the wings are in mottled shades of yellowish-brown. The hind wings

|
:
;
|

34 Volume 55 « April 1996 81

/ Y
Vz
i ),
f i
E ,/,
/ fy
y SS = —— = / lf
I, “ y
Ry | f
oy Ze
~A
>,
iN
~
NN
N
NS
/ N

2 mm

Fig. 2. A female Lopaphus brachypterus with a figure of the egg and genitalia.

are brown and almost reach the end of the fourth abdominal segment
but the female is unable to fly even when unladen with eggs. The final
abdominal segments are slightly broadened with the anal segment
truncate and the operculum rounded at the tip just exceeding the end
of the anal segment. The legs are robust and greenish-brown. Dark
broad sub-apical spines are present on all femora, being more
conspicuous on the middle and hind femora. The first segment of the

tarsus is elongate.

Foodplants

The original adult female caught was feeding on Aidia wallichiana
(Rubiaceae) in the wild. In captivity, these insects thrive on guava
(Psidium guajava L. Myrtaceae). Bramble is almost always rejected and
British and European breeders to whom I have given these insects have
had no success in raising this species.

82 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Typical measurements of Lopaphas brachypterus (mm)

Male Female

Body length 55-60 78-107
Antennae 57-64 43-57 —
Head 2-2.5 4.5-5
Prothorax 2-2.5 5
Mesothorax Alte) 19-20
Metathorax VS 9-11
Elytra 4-5 7-8
Hind wings 30-34 ZO
Abdomen and median segment 35-40 53-58
Femur:

front 18-19 20.5-24

mid IIB IRIES) 13-14

hind 15-16 18.5-19.5
Tibia:

front 17-18.5 18.5-21

mid 10.5-12 12-12.5

hind 1547 17-19

References

de Haan, W. (1842). Bijdragen tot de kennis der Orthoptera. In Temminck CL,
Verhandelingen over de natuurlijke Geschiedenis der Nederlandsche overzeesche
Bezittingen. Vol. 2. Liden 45-248.

Kirby, W.F. (1904). A synonymic’ catalogue of Orthoptera. Vol. 1, Orthoptera,
Euplexoptera, Cursoria, et Grescoria (Forficilidae, Hemimeridae, Blattidae, Mantidae,
Phasmidae). Longmans & Co., London.

Redtenbacher, J. (1908). In Brunner von Wattenwyl, K., Redtenbacher, J., Die
Insektenfamilie der Phasmiden. Verlag Engelmann, Leipzig

Seow-Choen, F., Tay, E.P., Brock, P.D. & Seow-En, I. Foodplants of some Stick-insects
(Phasmida=Phasmatodea) from Singapore. Malay. Nat. J. 1994, 47: 383-0.

Stal, C. Recensio Orthopterorum. Revie critique des Orthoptéres décrits par Linné, de Geer
et Thunberg. Vol. 3: 4-105. P.A. Norstedt & Soner, Stockholm.

Westwood, J.O. (1859). Catalogue of orthopterous insects in the collection of the British
Museum. Part 1. Phasmidae.

Wood-Mason (1877). Notes on Phasmidae. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 46:
342-352.

36 Volume 55 * April 1996 83

Ladybird, ladybird, fly to my home!
(or how to attract ladybirds to your garden)

by Michael E.N. Majerus (4027)

Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH.

One of the main reasons for the enduring popularity of ladybirds as a
group is that they eat aphids and other plant pests and so are
considered to be beneficial: This being so, one of the commonest
questions I have been asked while running the Cambridge Ladybird
Survey has been: “How can I encourage more ladybirds to come to,
and stay in, my garden?” This question usually comes from people who
are conservation minded and would prefer not to use insecticide sprays
to rid their gardens of plant pests if there is a natural biological
alternative. In this article I will try to answer this question, offering
advice on what one should or should not do to encourage ladybirds to
take up residence. My suggestions are based on fifteen years of
observing and scrutinising ladybirds in gardens, in the Cambridge area
and elsewhere, throughout the year. I have put this advice into practice
over the last four years (while I have lived at my current address) with
some success, for I have recorded over half the British ladybird species
in my garden this year, and as I write this Gin early October), I share my
house with over 2000 ladybirds that have moved to overwintering sites
around window frames and in my loft.

A personal fondness for ladybirds is not the only reason for writing
this article. The encouragement of wildlife in domestic gardens has
become an important conservation theme. Private gardens now cover a
considerable area of Britain, and over the past couple of decades the
importance of this land has gradually been recognised. This is partly
because, as individuals have different tastes in the style of garden they
prefer, the type of plants they want, and the amount of time they have
to devote to their own bit of Britain, a group of domestic gardens often
exhibits an extraordinary diversity of habitat types, and is very species
rich. With a little care and forethought the diversity can be increased
yet further with very little effort or expense. The result will be of
benefit not only to ladybirds but to a diverse array of other wildlife.

A number of general points are worth noting at the outset. First,
different species of ladybird have different hostplant or habitat
requirements. Some species are habitat generalists. These species may
occur on a wide array of different plants, their main requirement being
that the plant supports a good supply of food. This is true of the 2-spot

84 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

(Adalia 2-punctata), 7-spot (Coccinella 7-punctata), 11-spot
(Coccinella 11-punctata), 14-spot (Propylea 14-punctata) and 22-spot
ladybirds (Thea 22-punctata), the former four of which feed on aphids,
while the 22-spot feeds on powdery white mildews. All of these species
commonly occur in domestic gardens. Other species are slightly more
specific, in that they may show a preference for a group of plants of a
particular type. For example, the leaf-eating 24-spot (Subcoccinella 24-
punctata) and the mildew-eating 16-spot (Tytthaspis 16-punctata)
frequent long grass habitats, the kidney-spot (Chilocorus renipustulatus),
10-spot (Adalia 10-punctata), cream-spot (Calvia 14-guttata) and
orange ladybirds (Halyzia 16-guttata) are most common on deciduous
trees, while the pine (Exochomus 4-pustulatus), striped (Myzia
oblongoguttata), cream-streaked (Harmonia 4-punctata), larch
(Aphidecta obliterata) and eyed ladybirds (Anatis ocellata) prefer
needled conifers. The final group are those that are rarely found in
gardens, because they are either very hostplant, or very habitat specific.
The 18-spot ladybird (Myrrha 18-guttata) is found almost exclusively .
on mature scots pine (Pinus silvestris), the water ladybird (Anisosticta
19-punctata) is found principally on reeds and rushes, while the
heather (Chilocorus bipustulatus) and _ hieroglyphic — ladybirds
(Coccinella hieroglyphica) are species of heather heathland. The scarce
7-spot ladybird (Coccinella magnifica) and the 5-spot ladybird
(Coccinella 5-punctata) are both found on a fairly wide array of plants,
but in very specific habitats, the former only being found close to wood
ants' nests, and the latter being restricted to unstable river shingles in
Wales and Scotland.

Second, ladybirds have different requirements at different times of the
year. In practice, the ladybird year can be split into three periods. From
mid-April until mid-July, most ladybirds require high-grade food for
reproduction and development. Ladybirds are somewhat unusual
among the insects, in that the adults and Jarvae both feed on the same
principal food (sensu Hodek, 1973 — food that promotes reproduction
and allows full larval development). While most species are predatory
on aphids, coccids or adelgids, three species feed on mildews and one
is phytophagous. The main reproductive period varies a little from
species to species, partly as a consequence of these different food
preferences. Two of the coccid feeders, the pine and kidney-spot
ladybirds, may begin breeding as early as March if spring comes early.
On the other hand, the mildew feeders rarely begin to breed until mid-
June. In the latter part of the summer, once the new generation of
adults has emerged from pupae, the main preoccupation of the young

3¢ Volume 55 « April 1996 85

adults is to build up their nutrient reserves for the winter. In doing this
they will often feed on alternative foods (sensu Hodek, 1973 — foods
that aid survival, but do not promote reproduction). The alternative
foods that predatory species will take include a wide range of other
invertebrates, whether alive or dead, and including other ladybirds,
pollen, nectar, honey-dew and plant sap or resin. A few species, such
as the 2-spot and the 10-spot, may breed again, producing a partial
second generation in the middle of the summer if aphids are plentiful.
However, these species are the exception rather than the rule, and: in
Britain most species have a single generation in most years. The final
and longest period of the year for ladybirds is the winter. All the British
ladybirds pass the winter as adults. As food is generally difficult if not
impossible to obtain, they become dormant, finding sheltered spots out
of the worst of the winter weather.

The different requirements of ladybirds at different times of the year
have to be catered for if one is to encourage them to take up residence.
While it may be inappropriate to try to ensure that one's garden has too
many aphids in the spring and early summer — part of the idea in
encouraging ladybirds is, after all, to get rid of aphids — much can be
done for ladybirds in the latter part of the summer and through the
winter, as detailed below. Furthermore, it is possible to plant some tree
and shrub species which are likely to support aphid populations
without obvious detriment. While we may be keen to keep our roses,
sweet peas, cabbages and runner beans aphid free, we are less worried
about aphids on oaks, birches, hawthorns or lime trees. Such trees can
then support a reservoir of ladybirds which will move of their own
volition onto other plants that become infested with aphids.

The following advice is given in the form of a series of points. While
it may not be possible in any particular garden to put all these points
into practice, due to constraints of garden size, location, time
availability and other uses the garden is put to, the value in terms of
encouraging wildlife, and ladybirds in particular, is largely additive, so
any action will show some return; but the more one can do, the greater
the benefit.

General

1. Do not use general chemical pesticides in the garden. If pesticides
must be used, read the label and use brands which claim only to harm
the target pests. Preference should also be given to brands that degrade
rapidly. While general insecticides are the most important to avoid,
some general fungicides and herbicides also have a detrimental effect

86 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3

on ladybirds either directly or as a result of gradual build-up because
they are taken in with food. The amount of information we currently
have on the effects of many pesticides on specific non-target species is
pitifully small. Usually, we simply do not know whether a particular
pesticide is harmful to a particular ladybird. Best practice is thus to
avoid use of chemical pesticides whenever possible, seeking alternative
means of control.

Spring and early summer

2. Plant a diversity of species. Many species of aphidophagous ladybird
move form one hostplant to another as aphid populations wax and
wane. This is particularly true in the reproductive season. Ladybirds of
most aphidophagous species usually lay eggs when aphid colonies are
fairly new. This is for two reasons. First, the aim of a reproductively
mature female is to ensure not only that there is suitable food for her
offspring when they hatch. As neonate ladybird larvae are very small,
the female has to ensure that there are aphids close at hand, but that
these are of a size that the tiny larvae will be able to subdue. Young
aphid colonies contain a high proportion of aphid nymphs in early
instars, which are thus suitable for the young larvae. Second, because
ladybird larvae are highly cannibalistic, and will frequently eat eggs of
their own species if they come upon them, females avoid ovipositing
near aphid colonies which are already being attacked by ladybird
larvae. Rather than risk her eggs being cannibalised, a female will move
on in search of colonies that are not already under attack. As the
infestation of a particular type of plant by aphids during the year is
usually fairly synchronised, this generally means moving to another
hostplant.

3. Aphid food is essential for over half the British species of ladybird to
breed successfully. This may be most easily provided without detriment
to the flowers or vegetables in the garden if certain trees, shrubs or
weed plants are available. Best species to plant or encourage, for the
aphid-feeding generalists, are lime, oak, birch, goat willow, hawthorn,
blackthorn, bramble and stinging nettle. Generally, the aphids that
attack these trees and plants will not do serious damage to them, nor
will they transfer to other more precious plants.

4. Favour native species/varieties of plant and tree rather than imported
ones. Native species usually support a greater diversity of insects. This
is particularly true of tree species. Of the deciduous trees, the hybrid

34 Volume 55 « April 1996 87

lime, Tilia x europaea, is the best, followed by either of the larger
native birches, Betula pendula and B. pubescens. Of the oaks, either
Quercus robur or Q. petraea will support good aphid and coccid
populations, and the evergreen oak, OQ. ilex, is also very good for 10-
spot, 2-spot and cream-spot ladybirds. If a needled conifer is to be
planted, Scots pine (Pinus silvestris) is by far the best, although Douglas
fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and Norway spruce (Picea abies) will also
support aphid or adelgid populations. Given constraints of space, if just
a single tree can be accommodated, I would choose the Scots pine
because of the number of hostplant-specific ladybirds that favour this
tree. These include the eyed, striped, cream-streaked, larch, 18-spot and
pine ladybirds, and several of the generalists will also breed upon it, or
use its foliage to provide overwintering sites. A useful alternative is a
fruit tree, such as a Bramley apple or a cherry tree. Both may support
good breeding populations of ladybirds, particularly 2-spots and 10-
spots, and they provide shelter sites and food in the later summer.

5. A pond is always a joy in a garden. Depending on size, reedy plants
may be planted. Reed-mace (J/ypba spp.) and common_ reed
(Phragmites australis) are the best plants for some _ species of
coccinellid, but are too large and vigorous for most garden ponds.
However, yellow flag Uris pseudacorus) is an elegant plant and may
attract the water ladybird (Anisosticta 19-punctata) and either of the
two small species of coccinellid belonging to the genus Coccidula.
These three species not only breed among the foliage of reeds, rushes
and flags, but remain upon them throughout the year, overwintering
tucked down between the dead leaves.

6. Leave a “weedy” area, or preferably two, somewhere in the garden.
One may be on previously cultivated, nutrient-rich soil, which will
often support a nettle patch. This may become host to 2-spot, 7-spot,
10-spot, 14-spot, cream-spot and pine ladybirds. A nettle patch may
also provide a breeding site for some of the Nymphalid butterflies such
as Peacocks CUnadchis io), Small tortoiseshells (Aglais urticae), Red
admirals (Vanessa datalanta) and Commas (Polygonia c-album). The
other may be on an area of grass that gets at least some sun and which
is only cut once a year, preferably in mid-July. The resulting long
grassland habitat may encourage 16-spot, 22-spot and 24-spot ladybirds
to settle, as well as some of the smaller species of coccinellid, such as
Rhizobius litura and Nephus redtenbacheri. Alternatively, a wild area
may be created by digging over a patch of earth and allowing natural

88 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3

plant colonisation of this patch. Best results are obtained if the soil has
not been) fertilised! intithe recent spast “Such ant arcasenceds alittle
maintenance save for the removal of species which will overwhelm it,
such as nettles, creeping thistle, bramble, ground elder and so on.

Late summer

7. Because many coccinellids augment their diet with nectar in the late
summer, in, preparation for winter, late flowering nectar plants are
important. Buddleia, the so-called “butterfly bush”, is useful in this
respect and will attract several species of ladybird to its flowers (as well
as many butterflies). To prolong the nectar supply, buddleia is best
dead-headed every second or third day. Other useful nectar plants in
this respect are Michaelmas daisies (Aster spp.) and ice plants (Sedum
spectabile). In addition many types of legume attract ladybirds at this
time of year, the ladybirds feeding on the sugary solution secreted from
extra-floral nectaries.

8. Do not remove foliage of plants such as spinach, hogweed
(Heracleum sphondylium), dogwood (Swida sanguinea) or oak that is
covered with powdery white mildew until mid-October, or later in mild
autumns. This mildew provides food for 22-spots, 16-spots, and
occasionally the orange ladybird, when these are feeding-up for the
winter, and in “late” years, larvae and pupae of these species may be
found well into September.

Winter

9. Leave low rosettes of dead leaves on perennial plants throughout the
winter, and clear them in the spring. These provide overwintering sites
for many coccinellid species. In the same vein, disturb ground cover
plants as little as possible in the winter, as these too may be used as
winter sheltering sites by many ladybirds. Blackberry patches and
hedges of many types should also be disturbed as little as possible, and
pruning should be left until the spring, if this is not to the detriment of
the plants in question.

10. Plant some species particularly for the use of ladybirds in the
winter. Two foreign plants, pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) and
Cypressus x leylandii, and two native species, gorse (Ulex europaeus)
and Scots pine, are especially notable in providing overwintering sites
for ladybirds. The tight protective tussocks formed by pampas grass

34 Volume 55 * April 1996 89

attract many species which overwinter close to the ground, while the
evergreen foliage of the other species offer many sheltered situations
for coccinellids which overwinter higher up.

11. If a hedge is to be planted at any time, favour a mixed deciduous
one. A hedge comprising a mix of hawthorn, blackthorn, dog rose,
privet, beech, and shot through with cultivated or wild brambles, is
ideal for ladybirds. Beech, privet and bramble, while strictly deciduous,
retain their leaves through most of the winter, and so provide good
winter shelters for many ladybirds. Other ladybirds will overwinter in
the leaf litter at the base of the hedge. However, the beauty of a mixed
hedge is that it will also provide breeding sites for many species in the

spring.

12. Some ladybirds, particularly the 2-spot, often overwinter inside
houses. They usually do so in around or inside window frames, or in
lofts, although some may take up residence in cool rooms. There is
littlesthal meeds, to be done to encourage ladybirds to do this in your
own home. If you have a house that has the right sorts of site, the
ladybirds will find their way in. It is best if these ladybirds are left alone
throughout the winter while they remain inactive. As many overwinter
along the hinge edge of windows, it can be useful to check these in
October, and if ladybirds are present there, open that window as little
as possible, if at all, until the spring, lest the beetles are crushed. In
early spring in-house ladybirds may require some help. At this time of
year, they often become active on sunny days, appearing on the inside
of windows searching for a way out. The ladybirds, having fasted for
many months are likely to have low nutrient reserves, and they cannot
afford to waste energy trying to find an exit. These should be put
outside, preferably during the warmest part of the day, but at least two
hours before sunset.

13. If sharing one's home with hundreds of ladybirds throughout the
winter does not sound very appealing, alternative sites can be provided
that will divert many ladybirds from entering houses, but not drive
them away completely. One that I have found to work particularly well
involves the collapsible wooden trellises, available from most garden
centres, that are commonly used to support climbing plants up the side
of buildings; Iam particularly fond of climbers such as honeysuckle,
wisteria and clematis, but against the side of a house these do need
some support. Providing wooden trellises not only gives the plants

90 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society L]

something to climb up, but provides ladybirds with ideal overwintering
sites between the back of the trellis and the brickwork. It is also worth
noting that another climber, ivy, that does not usually need help in
climbing a wall, alsc often provides shelter for ladybirds in the winter.

Finally, watch and learn. Every garden is different and the ecological
balance in a garden will vary from place to place and year to year. Try
to watch ladybirds in your own garden, determine their requirements
and act accordingly. Note which plants they breed upon, and where
they pass the winter. Know their early stages so that eggs, larvae and
pupae are not destroyed accidentally or in error. And try to teach the
rest of your family and your neighbours.. Because the subject of the
advice you give is ladybirds, and “Everyone loves a ladybird”, you may
be surprised how open others are to good conservation practice.

Reference

Hodek, I. (4973) Biology of Coccinellidae. Jank: The Hague; Academia: Prague.

Sugaring plates for moths and butterflies
by Jan Koryszko (6089)

3 Dudley Place, Meir. Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 JAY.

Over the years I have tried a number of sugaring methods; Mr R-H.
Heath showed me a method he uses in his garden. This consists of a tin
or china plate, between eight to twelve inches wide and around three
inches deep, which is filled with soil to the rim. Treacle and syrup or
honey is poured over the soil and rotten fruit may also be added.
Diluted sugar water should be sprayed on the soil every couple of days
and more treacle and syrup added. The plate should be put a few

inches off the ground on bricks and in a sheltered spot out of the wind.

The results are very good. A number of butterflies visit during the day:
the Red admiral, Peacock, Comma, Small tortoiseshell and a large
number of moths at night such as; the Large yellow underwing, Red
underwing, Copper underwing and Old lady moth, as well as wasps,
flies, ants, beetles, slugs and snails, not to mention frogs, toads, bats
and hedgehogs. I recommend these plates to any entomologist. I have
recorded the Angle shades moth (Phlogophora meticulosa) almost every
month of the year, and some quite late Yellow underwings CVoctua
pronuba).

ii a

34 Volume 55 + April 1996 91

Insects of the Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kenya, April 1994
by Stuart Cole (1059)

24 Broom Close, Broom Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 ORJ.

There are a group of mountain ranges in north-east Tanzania that have
an extraordinary rich diversity of animals and plants and a high level of
endemism. This is because the coastal region of East Africa has enjoyed
a long period of climatic stability and because the area's humid forests
once had a connection with the central African rainforests but are now
separated by hundreds of miles of comparatively dry country.

The Shimba Hills in the south-east corner of Kenya are some 60 miles
from the closest of these ranges, the Usambara Mountains. Although
they are not as rich as the mountain localities the Shimbas have the
advantage of being only 20 miles from Mombasa and readily accessible
to someone on a two-week holiday on the coast and they still hold
quite a range of large mammals including elephant, Cape buffalo, sable
antelope and leopard. The hills were designated as a reserve primarily
to protect the only herds of sable antelope in Kenya, where they occur
as the sub-species Hippotragus niger roosevelti. Another attraction is

that, unlike most game reserves in East Africa, visitors can explore on
foot.

The average rainfall is 42 inches; most falling in the two wet seasons
of April to June (the “long rains”) and October and November (the
“short rains”). I visited the hills at the start of the long rains in April
1994, fourteen years after my first visit in November 1980.

The landscape of the Shimbas is of rolling hills, very reminiscent of
the chalk downs of southern England, with patches of sub-humid
tropical forest interspersed with stretches of bushed grassland; a
vegetation sometimes referred to as savanna-forest mosaic. The forest
resembles rainforest but rainfall is not sufficient or consistent enough to
support true rainforest. However, it is composed of a large variety of
different species. Few trees were identified and these were of the
genera Combretum, Parkia, Afzelia, Ficus, Dracaena and Cono-
pharyngia. There is little lower vegetation in the interior and this is
mainly shrubs; herbaceous vegetation is almost absent.

Most of my examination of the forest in the hills was in the Makadara
Forest south of Pengo Hill on the west side of the hills. Here there is a
large clearing known as the Picnic Site. The low herbs and grasses that
cover the floor of the clearing teemed with small grasshoppers, mantids

92 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe

and moths of a host of different species. The biggest and most colourful
of the grasshoppers was Eupropractis ornatus (Acrididae), a dark
prussian blue insect with yellow stripes and red hindwings. This species
was one of the most frequent insects in the hills and occurred in both
forest and grassland. An abundance of insects was also found on
foliage of shrubs around the edge of the clearing. These were mostly
weevils, leaf beetles, bugs, bush-crickets and arachnids, such as
harvestmen (Opiliones). The latter had small round maroon bodies
suspended between black thread-like legs spanning five inches. Of the
bush-crickets, the most distinctive, and the only species identified, was
Dioncomena ornata, green with clear pale blue markings.

A further assortment of insects was found on and under logs and
fallen trees. They included the Longhorn beetle Zographus
hieroglyphicus, the conspicuous black and white elaterid beetle Alaus
tortrix, various weevils and lycid beetles and some large moths of the
Sphingidae, Saturniidae and Noctuidae. Pseudobunaea_ tyrrhena
maculata was a saturniid whose plain brown forewings covered a
deeply coloured eyespot on each hindwing while the underside of the
body and wings was pure white. The noctuids were a common species
of Forest moth of the genus Evebus with wings intricately patterned in
various shades of black. Beetles of the Passalidae and Prioscelis tridens
of the Tenebrionidae lived in the rotten wood of the logs. Priscelis, a
mainly West African genus, look like outsize Mealworm_ beetles
(Tenebrio spp.). Beneath the logs were yellow scorpions and various
black carabid beetles, one of them a huge individual.

The most impressive inhabitants of the clearing and surrounding
forest were the giant snails of the genus Achatina (Achatinidae) of
which the biggest were A. achatina, the largest of all the world's land
molluscs. One individual found here had a shell eight inches long. After
rain the snails roamed over the ground but in drier weather lodged
themselves on the stems of shrubs and retreated into their shells. Other
outsize arthropods were giant millipedes of a number of species. The
handsome adults of Epibolus spp. (Harpagophoridae) were six inches in
length, black with chestnut-red legs. A larger unidentified species
reached eight inches. The East African coastal region is particularly rich
in millipedes and the Eastern Usambara mountains alone hold 35
endemic species.

Although butterflies were abundant in the Shimbas, in terms of
species numbers East Africa has an impoverished butterfly fauna
compared to the forests of central and West Africa. On my first visit in

36 Volume 55 + April 1996 93

1980 two species of Danainae clung in flocks to the branches and
leaves of shrubs in the clearing in the Makadara Forest. These were the
black and white Amauris niavius and Tirumala petiverana with black
and blue wings. On my second visit in April 1994, few of either
Amauris or Tirumala were seen but a greater variety of other butterflies
were on the wing in the forests and grassland. One of the most
numerous was the large black and yellow Swallowtail Papilio
ophidicephalus. This was abundant everywhere in the area, not only in
the hills but also on the coastal plain including Mombasa airport.
Another common Swallowtail was P. nireus, a black species with a
band of iridescent green across the wings. Euphaedra neophron
littoralis (Nymphalidae) was one of the most numerous butterflies along
forest paths. Euxanthe tiberius tiberius (Nymphalidae), an endemic of
the east coast forests, was found once feeding at exuding gum on a tree
trunk.

In November 1980 I came upon a tree (probably belonging to the
Araliaceae) at the forest verge with round fleshy leaves and abundant
umbels of simple green flowers. The flowers swarmed with insects of
around 30 species, all except one belonging to the Hymenoptera. There
were bees, ants, ichneumon-flies, spider-hunting pompilid wasps
including Hemipepsis sp.) and large paper wasps (Polistes sp.). The
exceptional species among these hordes was the beetle Lycus
terminatus in which the males have the orange and black elytra
expanded laterally to form an almost circular shape, although the
abdomen beneath is quite slender. In the female this expansion is much
less pronounced. There were several of the beetles on the flowers and
when I returned to the tree some hours later at sunset, some were still
present while all the other insects, save for a couple of Polistes wasps,
had deserted them.

Insects were less varied in the bushed grasslands. Grasshoppers were
the most abundant group and included Eupropractis and Ornithacris
cyanea, a very large brown species with pink hindwings. Numerous
small horseflies were a nuisance; these appeared to be of the same
genus (Haematopota) as our clegs. I was also bitten by tsetse flies
(Glossina spp.) in the early mornings. These fortunately were much less
common as they are the vectors of Trypanosomiasis, though I do not
know whether they carry the disease in this area.

The grassland is dotted with doum palms (Hyphene compressa) and
has many shrubs such as Tetracera, Ochna and the invasive alien
Lantana camara. A variety of herbs include several species of the

94 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36

terrestrial orchid genus Eulophia and abundant white-flowered sedges.
Of all the grassland plants only the flowers of sedges attracted more
than a few insect visitors. On these were small green longhorn beetles
of the species Hypocrites obtusipennis, mylabrine beetles of the genus
Coryna, Leucocelis elegans, a little green chafer speckled with white,
and a number of other, unidentified, beetles. ?

The heavy rains of April 1994 brought out hordes of winged termites,
fluttering weakly in the air up to the height of a few yards over the
grasslands, providing a feast for birds, especially black and white
cuckoos (Clamator jacobinus) that flew out from bushes to snatch at
the flying insects or to pick them up from roads when the termites
landed and discarded their wings. Carabid beetles and slender black
Ponerine ants also hunted the termites on the ground. The ants were
mostly individuals searching at random but one species, Megaponera
foetens, marched in close packed columns from fifteen inches to several
feet in length. These were actually pillaging armies intent on plundering
the termite nests. One party that I came upon must have been retiring
from a raid on a termite colony as some of the three-quarter inch
workers were carrying the bodies of some large termite species
(probably Macrotermes) in their jaws. Megaponera are, 1 believe,
unique among ants in being able to stridulate. As I approached to
within a few inches of one of the columns the insects became agitated,
milling about, and I could distinctly hear them producing a_ high-
pitched screeching. The leaders of the formation then swerved to one
side and led their company into the vegetation beside the track.

Surprisingly, I saw no marching colonies of the famous driver ants
(Dorylis spp. and Anomma spp.) here or in any other coastal locality
during either 1980 or 1994 although they must occur, as two males
were found at light at Likoni just south of Mombasa.

In November 1980 I saw only one elephant in the Shimba Hills
although their tracks were often encountered in the forests, but in April
1994 there seemed to be elephants everywhere. This abundance of
elephants did not necessarily reflect a general increase in these animals
in Kenya but rather shrinking of territory in which elephants could find
refuge. I could see that agriculture was filling the lowlands surrounding
the hills and this would make it difficult for the elephant herds to
follow their traditional migration routes between the hills and the
Mkomazi Game Reserve in Tanzania.

The high elephant population guaranteed a good dung beetle fauna
in the Shimbas. Scarab beetles (Scarabdaeus spp.) buzzed across open

36 Volume 55 « April 1996 95

country homing in on the freshest heaps of dung. One pile heaved with
black scarabs — I counted 50 just on the surface along with a few
Sisyphus spp. and Histeridae — and there were many more beneath.
Some heaps were half buried in mounds of freshly dug soil thrown up
by the giant Heliocopris CH. hamadryas?) of which one adult beetle was
found scraping away at the surface. The genus Heliocopris is found in
tropical Africa and Asia wherever elephants still occur and contains the
world's largest dung beetles. Catharsius rhinocerus was another large
dull black dung beetle found and several brilliant metallic green
Onthophagus sp. were discovered feeding, not on their usual diet of
dung, but on some seeds that had been regurgitated on a road by some
mammal.

Although the vegetation of the Shimba Hills appears to be almost in a
pristine state, there are plantations of alien pine trees in the north of the
reserve near the township of Kwale. These trees, which are Pinus
caribbea from the south-eastern USA, are tapped for their resin used in
the pharmaceutical industry. Officially there is no further extension of
the plantations but I found that there is still some surreptitious planting
of pines amidst uncleared native vegetation near the existing
plantations. Another threat to the integrity of the flora of the hills comes
from the South American shrub Lantana which has become a pan-
tropical weed. This rampant, untidy shrub has changed the nature of
much of the forest verging the hills and has probably completely
displaced some less vigorous native flora. However, the plant is not all
bad as, wherever Lantana occurs, its flowers seem to be the favourite
nectar source of butterflies.

Brimstone meets drone fly
by Stuart Pittman (9135)

101 Old Hale Way, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1XR.

In the late spring of 1995 I observed an interesting relationship between
a hoverfly and a butterfly.

A Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) was basking low down on grass
when the drone fly (Eristalis tenax) landed on the Brimstone's wings. It
too basked for some time, both either oblivious to each other which is
perhaps too implausible, or just another type of relationship to yet
again surprise the entomologist!

96 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

Gypsy moth (ymantria dispar)
by Guy Nettleton

MAFF, Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate, Rm 822, Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5NO.

In June 1995 an outbreak of the Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar)
(Linnaeus) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) was found in north-east London.
A native strain of the Gypsy moth was at one time present in wetland
areas of eastern England but it died out in the early part of this century.
The 1995 outbreak involved a different strain with a much wider host
range and could, if it were to establish in the UK, become a major pest
of forest and amenity trees. Following scientific advice on the likely
impact of the pest in the UK the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate
(PHSD, of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food took steps to
eradicate the outbreak.

A European strain of the Gypsy moth has caused considerable
damage to trees in many European countries but it has not been known
to occur in Great Britain. The PHSI and Forestry Commission had been
aware of the potential threat posed by this pest and have remained
vigilant during their routine inspection work. However, the inability of
the female to fly has restricted its natural distribution. In 1993 an Asian
strain or hybrid, indistinguishable in appearance from the European
strain and originating in eastern Russia, was discovered in Germany. A
key characteristic of this strain or hybrid is that the female can fly and
so under favourable conditions extensive outbreaks can occur over
wide areas. DNA analysis carried out on specimens found in the UK in
1995 shows them to be similar to this Asian strain or hybrid form.

All forms of Gypsy moths lay their eggs in clumps in July and August.
These are composed of a spongy mass of approximately 400 eggs
insulated by a matrix of hair shed from the moth's body. These egg
masses are usually laid on wooden surfaces such as tree bark or fences.
On hatching in the spring the small caterpillars produce a silk thread.
This can be caught by air currents and, acting rather like a parachute,
carries the larva downwind. The egg masses can also be laid on other
surfaces such as containers and the bodywork of vehicles which are
then transported by man. This adaption has ‘meant that man has
become an important secondary means of dissemination of the Gypsy
moth, sometimes moving it over considerable distances.

We do not know the origin of this particular outbreak. It is most
likely to have been due to an egg mass being carried into the UK ona
vehicle or wooden material. It does though seem to be an isolated case.

4 Volume 55 « April 1996 97

Action taken by the PHSI with help from Redbridge Borough Council
and in liaison with the Forestry Commission included inspections,
localised sprays of insecticides and pheromone trapping. These activites
should minimise the risk of any recurrence of the outbreak from this
source in 1996. In addition to continued work in the area of the
outbreak there will be an increase in the level of monitoring for the
Gypsy moth on imports and at woodland sites.

The PHSI and Forestry Commission are keen that the public are
aware of this pest and assist the Ministry with its work by reporting any
potential sightings. The Gypsy moth has a very distinctive larva.
Though the background body colour can vary the caterpillar has
characteristic warts from which hairs develop. These warts tend to be
yellowish but the dorsal pairs on each of the first five segments behind
the head are blue and the remaining dorsal warts are red. When mature
the caterpillar is between 4 - 7cm long. Any entomologist who thinks
that he or she has seen the Gypsy moth must contact his or her local
Plant Health and Seeds Inspector. The addresses of all MAFF offices are
available from the MAFF helpline on 0645 335577 Cocal rates).

Since the Gypsy moth is a non-indigenous plant pest it is controlled
under the Plant Health (Great Britain) Order 1993. This Order prohibits
anyone from keeping live specimens of Lymantria dispar unless they
are specially authorised to do so by MAFF.

Wanted: The Woodhopper

by Peter Smithers

Dept. of Biological Science, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, Devon PL4 SAA.

The Woodhopper, alias Arcitalitrus dorrieni, is found under flower-
pots, household and garden waste, and also in compost heaps and
woodland leaf-litter. It is similar in appearance to the sandhoppers that
are found on the beach beneath piles of seaweed and is from 2 to
10mm in length.

If you find a colony of Woodhoppers please send a specimen to the
address above, enclosing the following information: The habitat in
which it was found, i.e. garden, parkland, woodland etc; the date on
which it was first observed and an address or map reference for the
Site:

Thank you for your assistance with this project.

98 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

Alien Empire by Christopher O'Toole. Hardback, A4, pp224 and many
colour plates, 19957 Price 217.09:

This book which accompanied the BBC television series recently shown
is nothing less than you would expect from the BBC Natural History
Unit. The book is superbly illustrated with colour photographs and
drawings and has a very attractive format which keeps the reader
hooked.

There are. eight’ chapters, covering topics, of..desien,. senses, and
movement of insects, how insects feed, their defences, reproduction,
eusociality and how insects interact with Man. In fact all the basics of
entomology are covered in an interesting and educational manner
which makes the book an essential addition to the bookshelf of anyone
interested in natural history. Even the more experienced entomologist
would learn from some of the examples given.

I personally enjoyed the final chapter on the interactions between
Man and insects. This chapter looks at our friends, such as hornet
larvae and pupae which are sold as a nutritious food in Thailand (yum,
yum!) and foes such as the Tiger mosquito, Aedes spp. which benefits
from our habit of dumping car tyres — which provide the ideal habitat
for a mosquito to complete its life cycle in the pools of water which
collect in them. This, of course, increases malaria transmission due to
the increase in adult mosquitoes.

There is much to learn in this book and I highly recommend it — the
author and publishers deserve the success that this book will surely be.

Wayne Jarvis

34 Volume 55 * April 1996 99

Diptera (True Flies) from the Kenfig National Nature Reserve,
Glamorgan. J.C. Deeming (1995) National Museums and Galleries of
Wales, Entomological Series No. 4. 113pp. Paperback only. £4.95 +
p&p. For details write to: Publications Department, NMGW, Cathays
PankenGarcitteer ly 5NP:

Kenfig NNR is a large sand dune complex in South Wales and one of
the best such habitats in the British Isles. This publication goes into the
detail of the flies recorded at this site over the last century, with 956
species listed. An introduction by Dr Jones (Kenfig Project Officer)
gives details of the site's history and current management and the
importance of some of the habitats therein.

The systematic list gives a brief introduction to each family, and
under each species distributional, status, and often biological and
ecological information is given. There are a number of name changes
listed, but these are put into perspective by the author, nevertheless a
copy of the British checklist is a recommended companion. There are
two appendices: the collecting sites of J.W. Yerbury from the region,
from unpublished diaries held in the Hope Entomological Collections,
Oxford; and a checklist of the Molluscs, to be used in conjunction with
the information on the Sciomyzidae (snail-killing flies). There is also an
index to families and genera.

This publication is not only a useful addition to any Dipterist's
library, but also a valuable resource for conservationists and ecologists

alike.

Darren Mann

Insect World International

_ After Bugs disappeared (or has it?), I thought we had seen the last

attempt to produce a glossy magazine on invertebrates, but no, yet
another one has popped-up. However, much to my surprise the first
issue Of Insect World International was in fact interesting. As the title
suggests, this is an international magazine, so will help enthusiasts from
around the world to keep in touch and share information. In the first
issue aticles included: = SO you) want to keep a Tarantula?”, “An
Introduction to Stick and Leaf Insects”, “Invertebrates in Close-Up” and
“Breeding T~ropical Butterflies”. Although I have no interest in stick
insects or butterflies I found the articles to be well written and

_ delightfully mixed with colour photographs.

100 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3

The magazine begins with an information page, containing snippets of
news from the ridiculous to the scientific. The main part is taken up
with the five articles mentioned above, and there is a section for the
younger enthusiasts, aptly named “The Creepy Crawly Club’. A
consultancy column gives subscribers a chance to have their questions
answered and “What's Bugging You?” allows readers to air their
opinions. There are also book reviews, adverts from various traders and
an international directory of societies, although this is limited to one
page.

All in all, it is a well balanced mixture of good quality articles and
notes of interest. The cartoon “Arnold's Arthropods” made up for the
few technical errors I noticed. I imagine-anyone with an interest in
invertebrates, especially those who delight in culturing such creatures,
will thoroughly enjoy this magazine.

I would like to wish the editor, Paul Kent, every success with this
pleasingly different new publication.

For» details: -write- to: Insect), Worlds: PO] Box > 4422 Drotmvick!
Worcestershire WR9 8YL. Subscription rates: £16.50 per annum for
Europe, rest of the World £35.

Darren Mann

The National Trust and Nature Conservation 100 years on edited by D_J.
Bullock and H.J. Hervey, assisted by S. Mifsud. Biological Journal of the
Linnean Society, Vol. 56 Supplement A. 4to., pp xviit 248. Academic
Press 1995, Price not, stated.

The previous issue of the Biological Journal had an account of Pitcairn
and Henderson islands. Well-known as the landfall of the Bounty
mutineers, it is not so well-known that for some 600 years they were
inhabited by Polynesians who so degraded their environment that they
died out. Are we perhaps going the same way? The signs are there and
have been succinctly put by Richard Leakey in his latest book The sixth
extinction. The appalling environmental destruction wrought on
Twyford Down and now being inflicted on SSSIs and other amenities
by the Newbury bypass show the utter indifference of Government to
the effects they have been warned about. So perhaps this book offers
us a ray of hope. National Trust property is inalienable, except that it
could be seized by an Act of Parliament, but the outcry from its two
million members would be so great that I doubt whether any
Government would dare try! The Trust are one of our largest
landowners and include many of our more useful and well-known

36 Volume 55 « April 1996 101

century ago. They take their responsibility seriously and this book is a
report on a joint conference held with the Linnean Society in 1994. Five
chapters — a whole section — are on the conservation of butterflies and
deal with different aspects of the problem. All but two of our resident
butterflies occur on Trust land and indeed a number of our more
endangered species are at present fairly safe there. These include the
Swallowtail, Glanville and Marsh fritillaries, the Adonis blue, the High
brown fritillary and, recently, the re-introduced Large blue; there are
indeed far more colonies of many species on Trust land than there are
on the slightly smaller total areas of national nature reserves.

Other chapters in this book deal with grazing as a management
practice; Historic parks and pasture-woodlands (such as Hatfield forest);
Habitat restoration and Conservation of bats. Now bats are primarily
insect eaters and so in order to have a thriving colony of them one
must ensure that not only are suitable resting and hibernation sites
available but the surrounding habitat must be able to support a large
population of insects, so the more the farmer or Council sprays
insecticides and herbicides and grubs up hedges and “manages” the
land the fewer insects will be available and hence the bat population
will crash. So, if the land is managed with bats in mind, then this means
making it suitable to produce as large a crop of insects as possible, with
great benefit to the entomologist who will not begrudge the small
percentage of insects taken as sustenance by the bats.

While the papers here are more on conservation measures generally
and on butterflies (rather than moths or other insects), many of the
other papers are of relevance to insect conservation. They all show just
how much work is being done, how efforts are being made (on, of
course, limited resources — how handy a lottery grant would be!) to
manage their properties and in some cases to restore environments that
had become greatly degraded through various causes. It comes through
very clearly that the Trust takes its responsibilities towards conservation
seriously, is willing to both give and take advice and is already working
in close co-operation with other bodies. Apart from the butterflies I
wonder just how well-recorded are many of the other orders over
Mearly ~a quarter million hectares of Trust land I-am sure that a
responsible approach to carry out surveys or experiments on their land
will be more than welcome.

iiniste book isan essential read for all who are interested, in
conservation, particularly, perhaps, of butterflies, and the work which is
and has already been done, on National Trust properties in this
connection. Hexadactyla

102 =~. «= ~Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society &é

/ Caught
in the
Web

by Wayne Jarvis (9899)

This is a new feature which we are including in the Bulletin for those
who have access to the Internet. Increasingly, members are using the e-
mail and Internet systems to contact us and with more and more
people hooking up to the system all the time, I thought that it would be
useful to look at some of the sites which can be accessed.

One of the best UK based pages on the Web as far as insects are
concerned is Gordon's Entomological Home Page. Gordon Ramel, a
member of the Bug Club Committee, has devoted hours of his time to
provide an accurate, attractive, up-to-date set of pages with links to
many other entomological sites. Gordon has listed the various
entomological societies (including the AES) to be found around the
World. This is definitely a site to visit and can be found at
http://info.ex.ac.uk/~gjramel/welcome.html

One of Gordon's pages, that of the Bug Club, an organisation run for
children that are interested in bugs and other “creepy crawlies”, has
recently been taken over by Kieren Pitts and is under re-development.
The look so far is superb and when fully functional this is definitely
somewhere to point the younger entomological members of the
Society. The pages currently include the newsletter, care sheets and
loads of useful information. To access the Bug Club Home Page enter
this address: http://www.ex.ac.uk/~kmpitts/welcome.html

The final site for this issue of the Bulletin is that of Butterfly
Conservation. These pages have also been re-developed recently and
now include information about the Society, the latest news, the articles
found in Butterfly Conservation News and lots more. This site is found
at http://soton.ac.uk/~sjd2/

If you have found an interesting site please let me know and I'll be
happy to include it next time.

LL LL LE AT EC LL LT IE

Volume 55 « April 1996 103

Abbreviations

BENHS British Entomological and Natural History Society.
LNHS London Natural History Society.

RES Royal Entomological Society of London.
RES(QG) RES Rooms, 41 Queen's Gate, London SW7.

I: Information from:

To make the diary effective contributions are needed from members.
Any relevant items should be sent to the Bulletin Editor. No charge is
made for entries. Please allow three months advance notice.

MAY

1st

12th

14th

RES Meeting — Title to be announced.

RES(QG) Tea 17.00hrs, Meeting 17.30hrs. A talk will be presented by a
member of the Ecological Special Interest Group.
I: RES 0171 584 8361.

Entomological Livestock Group Spring Entomological Fair.
For further details please see the advert in this edition of the Bu/letin.

BENHS Indoor Meeting — Sex, Parasites and Venereal Disease in
Ladybirds.

RES(QG) 18.00hrs. Talk by Dr Michael Majerus.
I: Dr Ian McLean,

109 Miller Way, Brampton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8TZ.

104 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Se

5th RES Meeting —AGM & President's Address.
RES(QG) Tea 17.00hrs, Meeting 17.30hrs.
I: RES 0171 584 8361.

7th AES June Council Meeting.
Baden Powell House, Queen's Gate, Kensington at 18.30 hrs.

10th LINHS Meeting — Invertebrate Conservation at Home and Abroad.
At the Linnaen Society Rooms, Burlington House, Piccadilly, W1.
18.30hrs. David Clarke, Head Keeper of Invertebrates, London Zoo is
the speaker.
I: Catherine Schmitt 0181 346 4359.

JULY

3rd RES Meeting — The trouble with Psocids: A problem to control.
RES(QG) Tea 17.00hrs, Meeting 17.30hrs. Dr B.D. Turner, Kings
College , London.
I: RES 0171 584 8361.

EXHIBITION NOTICE

AES ANNUAL EXHIBITION

SATURDAY, 5TH OCTOBER 1996
KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE

Staines Road, Sunbury, Middlesex

Doors open at llam e Admission £1.00

Members free on production of pass to be issued with the
August Bulletin.

For further information please write to:
The AES, PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG.

Published 20th April 1996 by the Amateur Entomologist's Society
(Registered Charity No. 267430), from 4 Steep Close, Orpington, Kent BR6 6DS.

Major Entomological & Herpetological Show for
Captive Bred Stock & Conservation Groups ~

NEW THIS YEAR ~ National Photographic Competition

in conjunction with - Insect & Invertebrate World International Magazine

NEWTON ABBOT RACECOURSE
Saturday 29th June 10.00am to 5.00pm

Butterflies & Moths. Praying Mantids & Stick Insects. Frogs & Toads,
Lizards. Snakes, Tarantulas,Scorpions Pree

Snails and Beetles. Books, Specimen

Equipment, Tanks, Microscopes, Food

and Plants. Everything for the Keeper,

Enthusiast or Expert. Come and buy

or look at these fascinating creatures.

Talk to the Experts, Society Members and Conservation Groups.

TICKET PRICES
ADULTS £2.00
CHILDREN £ 1. 00
FAMILY £5. 00

(2 ADULTS & 2 CHILDREN)
FREE PARKING ON SITE

BOOK YOUR STAND NOW
Telephone 01626 332 775
ALL EXHIBITS ARE UNDER COVER
GOOD CHOICE OF FOOD AVAILABLE

Spend the day at the show. There will be special talks and lectures in the
afternoon. See the results of a ‘Bug Sweep’ of the racecourse.

The Photo Competion Entry Forms are available from the Organisers: SAE
to Creepy Crawly Photo Competition Mead Farm, Howton Road, Newton
Abbot, Devon 1TQ12 6ND. The details are also in the current edition of
Insect & Invertebrate World International Magazine - Issue Number 4 -
obtain your copy of the magazine direct from the publishers by sending
£2.75 to Insect World (Dept CCS) PO Box 44 Droitwich Worcs.WR9 8YJ
Tel/Fax 01905 776051.

A NEW REPRINT FROM THE
AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY

PRACTICAL HINTS FOR THE FIELD LEPIDOPTERIST by J.W.Tutt

Written in three parts at the turn of the century, this book has been reprinted
because it still represents the most comprehensive field guide covering both
macro and microlepidoptera. Parts I to HJ all give a month by month guide to
which species and stages to look for and how to find them. Part II also contains
an extensive biological account of the early stages and how to keep, rear and
describe them. 422 pages, Hardback. (Reprinted 1994). A separate supplement
has been prepared which cross-references old to current scientific names and the
English names of the species covered. Total price only £21.00.

OTHER TITLES AVAILABLE FROM THE A.E.S. INCLUDE

Habitat Conservation for Insects - A Neglected Green Issue

(Hardback 262 pages, 15 figures+ 32 pages colour plates). . ... . .£12.00
A Lepidopterists Handbook (136 pages, 32 figs, 13 plates) . . . . . £7.50
Breeding the British Butterflies (60 pages, 6 figures, 5 plates) . . . . £3.95
Breeding the British and European Hawkmoths (56 pages) . . . . . £3.95
| Practical Hints for Collecting and Studying

Microlepidoptera (40 pages, 11 figures) . . . £3.40
An Amateurs Guide to the Study of the Gentalia at Lepidoptera ( 16pp) £2395
A Silkmoth Rearers Handbook (Hardback, 225pp + 32 colour

plates showing 74 photographs of larvae and adult moths) . . . . . £13.75
Killing, Setting and Storing Butterflies and Moths (19 pages) . . . . £2.85
The Study of Stoneflies, Mayflies and Caddis Flies (44 pp, 10 figs.) . . £3.40
Collecting and Studying Dragonflies (24 pages, 12 figs, 2 plates) . . . £2.35
The Hymenopterists Handbook (226 pages, illustrated). . . . . . . £8.50
Revised Flight Tables for the Hymenoptera (24 pages). . . . . . . £2.00
| A Coleopterists Handbook (Hardback, 300 pages, illustrated) . . . . £15.50
Host.plants ‘of British, Beetles (24) pages); . a. 3. a pe e200
A Dipterists Handbook (260 pages, illustrated) . . 2950
Rearing and Studying Stick and Leaf-Insects (73 pp. 43 fees "7 pice oe e£500
Rearing and Studying the Praying Mantids (22 pages, 9 plates) . . . . £2.85
Rearing Crickets in the Classroom (12 pages, 2 plates). . . . . . . £1.80

| All the above publications sent post free to U.K. addresses. Outside U.K. please
| add 10% to order value for postage by surface mail. For postage by air-mail
outside Europe please add 30% to order value.

Please make all cheques/postal orders payable to 'AES Publications’ and send to:
AES Publications, The Hawthorns, Frating Road, Great Bromley,
COLCHESTER CO7 7JN. Telephone 01206 251600

FITZGERALD PUBLISHING
P.O. BOX 804, LONDON SE13 5JF, ENGLAND

Tarantula Spiders of the USA & Mexico by Andrew M. Smith.

ISBN 09510939-9-1

Price £30. Mail-order £25.

This is another first from the arachnological publishing house Fitzgerald, which in
1985, published the pioneering publication, The Tarantula ID Guide — often referred
to as the tarantula keepers bible. In 1990, we published Baboon Spiders — the first
volume in our highly acclaimed new series, which in 1995 was followed up with the
second volume in this series, Tarantulas of the USA & Mexico.

This is a hardback book, which is the largest most comprehensive book ever
published on the subject and one which Peter Kirk, Editor of the British Tarantula
Society Journal, has described, as “head and shoulders above the rest — the best book
on tarantulas to date.”

We think so too, and so will you. It is packed with over a thousand photographs,
drawings, maps and original research, of the like of which you have not read
elsewhere. In fact we take great pride in the fact that our photographs were taken out
in the grasslands of Oklahoma and the deserts of Arizona, Utah, California and
Mexico. Not only does the book include 25 new species, but also fascinating
chapters on native American Indian folklore and on the arachnologists who described
them. Do you know which British arachnologist, blew out his brains with a service
revolver, with his pipe still clamped between his teeth? Or which one returned from a
field trip, to attend his own funeral?

Baboon Spiders (Tarantulas of Africa and the Middle East) by Andrew M. Smith.
ISBN 09510939-7-55.

Price £25. Mail-order £20.

The first volume in our tarantulas of the world series and one which was
enthusiastically reviewed by Frances Murphy of The British Arachnological Society
— “you should buy this book — as a result of the authors research, it contains a vast
amount of invaluable knowledge”. Phillippe de Vosjoli simply stated in his book
Arachnomania — “this book will prove invaluable to the serious hobbyist”. A book
which is packed with invaluable species descriptions (including eleven new species)
and fieldwork and habitat data.

Stick Insects of Britain, Europe and the Mediterranean by Paul Brock.

ISBN 09510939-7-5.

Price £15. Mail-order £10.

“This attractively illustrated, very comprehensive and up-to-date book is a goldmine
of information. Indispensable for anyone interested in Sticks from these areas”. —
Review by Michael Lazenby, Phasmid Study Group. A hardback book, which is
packed with information — including hundreds of collection sites in France, Spain,
Portugal, Yugoslavia, Sardinia, Morocco, Turkey and Italy. Perfect for planning
holidays.

Trading Terms: No postage charges. Payments by cash, cheques, postal orders.
Overseas payments by cash (USA $ welcomed), or sterling international bank or
postal drafts/orders. No dollar cheques, as these cost us $10 to cash.

JUST PUBLISHED BY
THE BRITISH ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NEW BRITISH BEETLES
Species not in Joy's practical handbook
by Peter J. Hodge and Richard A. Jones

There are over 650 British beetles not included in Norman Joy's Practical handbook of
British beetles. Some are new arrivals, others have been confused or overlooked and
many groups have undergone revision. New British beetles puts these changes into
perspective and offers the British coleopterist a new look at Joy's book, a reference to
the current British fauna and the changes that have taken place in the last 63 years.

For each family, Joy's book is assessed, the most up-to-date keyworks are listed,
together with many other helpful references. For each “new” beetle species, a short
description is followed by extensive references. The 192-page book has a full and
comprehensive index allowing cross-reference to all specific, generic and family names
used including many synonyms used by Joy and others.

Hardback (ISBN: 1-899935-002), £24 + P&P £2-
Paperback (ISBN: 1-199935-01-0) £18 +P&P £2

Send cheque made out to “Brit. Ent. Nat. Hist. Soc.” with order to: BENHS Sales
Secretary, R.D. Hawkins, 30d Meadowcroft Close, Horley, Surrey RH6 9EL.

BENHS members are eligible for special prices on this and other Society publications
and receive the quarterly British Journal of Entomology and Natural History. For
sample copy and Society details write to the Editor, Br.J.Ent.Nat.Hist., 13 Bellwood
Road, Nunhead, London SE15 3DE.

ENTOMOLOGIST’S GAZETTE

A Quarterly Journal of Palaearctic Entomology.

Illustrated and covering all groups of Insects.

Includes Book Reviews on a World-wide basis.

Current Annual Subscription £20 (US$45.00)

A sample copy can be sent on request from the publishers:

GEM PUBLISHING CO.

Brightwood, Bell Lane, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell,

Wallingford, Oxon OX10 OQD.

Continued from back cover

ACEO Mlall Meme eset Ne sect sen Nese any see cceasseccosseuteas cancsusuucsdesoonsatecderswduchinescsdedescesdbasphead 53
BOOKGREVIEW SEV ANCMENINOING) Sisa0cs cess sn ace ss28 .osstis sac cauresesoedoontonsedecoesccsdveasectsenedeiuecvenst 98
Diptera from the Kentfig National Nature Reserve, Glamorgan .......... 99
HASCCUNVV ONG MIMLCKIMAUOMAl gaescos cee tos he cesrectasaeboewesnntncoucnsesotaceoedes cesses 99
The National Trust and Nature Conservation, 100 years ON ..........+++- 100
OTM UMINPMUINMN VO ferret ese Me sede .!scays ondarie sev estvanctusiie coeds saswadsodetoultasoucresatewadsettertentactoacts 102
Dilip AID CCS rear essence Notte ats connec ei secoadvusssnbetntesdeesversensscnes sheesiesensoatrvacenebecsowsuanesse 103

Bulletin

of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society

CONTENTS

G. Tordoff. Easter break in Norfolk (13th to 18th April 1995). ..........2----.---ss:e-eceeeeeee- 55
M.J. Dawson: Spaitt 1995. o.oo. o- occ cncmswwcaseneh agen seuasanancectonttenctensaese nee pee ee eee 59
R.A. Jones. Hanging around the woods: Long-leggedness in a leaf beetle. ................ 61
Huang Hao. Notes on the genus Sinopiens in China. 22.232. -1s.-22- 2-2. as cent 67
P. Boireau. Winning the battle against pupal parasites. .......................-.----.----s+--sss-e=- 71
F. Seow-Choen & P. Brock. A rare stick insect from Singapore: Lopaphus

brachypterus (de Haan) 1842 with descriptions of the male and egg. ..................-. jae
M. Majerus. Ladybird, ladybird, fly to my home! (or how to attract ladybirds to your

BALOGH) ooo. ones hace nous tse ee eee ee oe 83
S. Cole. Insects of the Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kenya, April 1994. ................. 91
Short Communications
P. Bragg. Mantids and cockroach meeting and study group. ................::::sseeeseeeeeeeeee= 56
M. Emmet. Unbanned pets. ....00 2.222 occ sos ate nce nce ceee 57
G. Best. A moo-ving Expenence. 22.5 -2- 2-002 anne caneatinnnon eee ee 58
J. Koryszko. A visit to Prees Heath and Whixhall Moss, Shropshire. ................--..--++- 58
M. Guye. An orgy of stag beetles... os 2 eco 60

<) 4G. Best, 595.78. 22 eee 64

F. McCann: Marbled beauty in Glasgow. .....-.-:..--.-2-.-.<-<.-----cessesqsot eee ee 65
J. Koryszko. How long does a Devils coach-horse live? ................c.:sesseeeseeeeeeeeeeeees 66
j. Keryszke. Homet moth record. (-..c.2...2--c0-ccscc-c3 secocneeeescecseeeate ee ecg ee 66
P.. Wilkins. Snail-dwelling wasp? -:.......-.---<.c-<---c---scecceeseeres—cee nscice Seven each eee 7
B. Dickerson. A Long-tailed blue (Lampides boeticus) in Kent. ..............:..:s20ss-200000- 75
F. Farrow. A:continental visitote 0-2). eec ee Soe 7
M. Pitt-Payne. Hummingbird hawkmoth in Aylesbury. ..................--.:e+-ssseesseeeeeeeeeees 77
J. Koryszko. Hummingbird hawkmoth in Staffordshire. .................:sesseesceesceeseeeneeeees 77
R.C. Watts. Hand pairing Swallowtails.:.......-3.-- ss <cscse a iene 78
J. Koryszko. Sugaring plates for butterflies and moths. ................:..:sccesseeessceeeseeeneeeees 90
S. Pittman. Brimstone meets drone fly. \..:.... <3-S:.---. sg cectencnceeneeee ee 95
G. Nettleton. Gypsy moth (Lymanitria dispar). .......-.-.-<-..2-cos:sesse-sc-t0sesopseceoen nee 96
P. Smithers. Wanted: The Woodhopper. <1.2..5...u..5.- ee 97

Continued on inside back cover

Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. ttd., 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA.

oF Se i, es ae a Re I PE ii ce

POE) ae

{

“
§

if
: 4
ee
; :
. . :
\ :
=: #
.as " | .
ws F ;
4 ;
«
rs ? ,
Ree te
£
=
—_ _ 4
“
2 >. a = , pe
s.
P os
- J
r -
, —
. e .
, . ]
. re >.
a - : «- |
ull 2. sp
gat: . t
y
ji /
- ~
* % A ’
* % 5

f- a P & c vers
sletin =
rt = GE |

Volume s5 °- Number 406

‘Ss
oS.
< Sf
zc ')
w c.
<= eS
= “<

Founded in 1935

Where to write
For all Society business, please write to:
AES

P.O. Box 8774
London SW7 5ZG

Officers of the Society

President: | Richard Jones
Secretary: Wayne Jarvis
Treasurer: Andrew Locke
Registrar: Nick Holford

Bulletin Editor:

General Editor:

Advertising Secretary:

Exhibitions & Meetings Secretary:
Youth Secretary:

ICN Editor:

Wants & Exchange:

Habitat Conservation Officer:

Wayne Jarvis
Mike Bonsall
Rob Dyke
Maxwell Barclay
Darren Mann
David Lonsdale
Caroline Willmot

Martin Harvey

Subscriptions:

Advertising Rate:

First subscription (including entrance fee) £12, or £8 under
18. Renewals £10 or £6 under 18. Overseas members £12.
Subcription due by the 1st January each year.

The following charges apply to adverts in the body of the
Bulletin. Full page £60, Half page £40, Quarter page £25.
Insert charges available on request to Advertising Secretary,
address as above.

NOTICE

Worldwide Butterflies

Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 ote Tel 01935 74608 Fax 29937

Colour

ey <aaeS Ao Catalogue
a G7 oe of livestock
Vat A ae | : °7

LOGY mean» aS

— ans in ian

Specimens and
equipment.

Please mention
AES:
50p in stamps
would be greatly
appreciated.

ALSO

on request,
Specialist
Catalogues of
British, European
and Exotic
set and papered
specimens

* Paso tnece et e eile SOR Ent

vig Worldlife e

Registered charity

At Compton House, Nr. anchone Worldlife
has evolved from Worldwide Butterflies.
As well as magnificent butterfly displays,
conservation organisations are showing what
is being done for the environment, and
how all can become involved.

Situated on A30 Yeovil-Sherborne Road.
Open daily Apr-Sep. Tel 01935 74608

E.W. CLASSE Y LTD

ENTOMOLOGICAL BOOKS BY MAIL SINCE 1949

Antiquarian, second-hand and New books
Special offers and forthcoming book news
Booksearch service. Please send your “wants” list
Regular free catalogues and specialist lists

Books bought

Valuations

so,
‘te
Pare

"eo

Oxford House,

Marlborough Street,
Faringdon,

Oxon SN7 7DR UK

Tel. 01367 244700 Fax. 01367 244800

=
@
.)

3° i C er
Ee,
C7

Our Faringdon shop has a large stock of Entomological & Natural History books and prints

BOOKS AND PRINTS

at
THE BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL
Juniper Hall, Mickleham, nr Box Hill, Dorking
20-21 JULY. 114M- 5.30PM

| shall be exhibiting for sale a wide selection of entomological books and prints.
Antiquarian, second hand, reference and new books

SPECIAL OFFER - 10% OFF NEW BOOKS OVER £20

Further details from -DAVID DUNBAR
31 Llanvanor Road, London NW2 2AR. 0181 455 9612

PRINTING
COMPANY LIMITED

for all your printing requirements

Co
c=
Co

1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA.
Tel: (01277) 224610 Fax: (01277) 262815

The cover of this issue of the

ih
The x hig.
Bulleti n ie | Bulletin features a close-up of
SN ge
of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society a nest of wood ants (Formica
Volume SS * Number 406

ruta).

Photo: Nick Holford

NEW PUBLICATION FROM
THE BRITISH ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

BRITISH HOVERFLIES: Second supplement
by Alan E. Stubbs

Following the phenomenal success of British hoverflies: an illustrated identification guide, the
BENHS is pleased to announce the publication of a second, much enlarged, supplement — 64 pages,
over 100 line figs, attractive card covers. It absorbs the information given in the short appendix
(compiled in 1986) and gives a single source for advances in knowledge since the parent book was
originally published in 1983.

The main components are: a review of advances in the biology of hoverflies; advances in
conservation methods; identification of the 15 species added to the British list since 1983; fully
revised illustrated keys to Platycheirus and sphaerophororia; key to female Neocnemodon (which
could not be identified before) and improvements to many other keys; notes on the additional
species and much extra information on distribution and biology of many more species; about 300
new references, attractive card covers.

Paperback (ISBN: 1-899935-02-9) £6 +P&P £0.50 (overseas £1.00)

Send cheque made out to “Brit. Ent. Nat. Hist. Soc.” with order to: BENHS Sales Secretary, G.
Boyd, 17 Gainsborough Close, Cambridge CB4 ISY.

The parent book, British hoverflies: an illustrated identification guide by Alan E. Stubbs is still
available. The most comprehensive book to be published on British hoverflies, it has extensive keys
incorporating over 540 line drawings and the 12 superb colour plates by Steven Falk show 263
specimens depicting 190 species. Hardback (ISBN: 0-9502891-9-1), £26 +P&P £2.80 (overseas
£3.50)

ARE YOU MISSING OUT?
THE
ENTOMOLOGIST'S
RECORD
and Journal of Variation

The Editor, 14 West Road, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2QP.

Write now! You never know what you could be missing.

The Entomologist's Record is an independent, non profit making journal.
To ensure high standards of production we use Cravitz Printing Company.

of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society

Volume 55 © Number 406 June 1996

Little Breach Butterfly Reserve 1974-1996
by Roger Sutton (5305)

16 Ashford Road, Wellington, Somerset TA21 8QF.

Introduction

In 1971, my wife Linda and I had a holiday of two weeks in Greece
offered as an alternative to a cruise which was cancelled, so it was
quite by chance that my old interest in butterflies was rekindled as a
result of that holiday. We spent two weeks looking at ancient Greek
ruins and after a while this became tedious, so one spare afternoon we
decided to explore an area off the beaten track; we took a bus and
wandered up a mountainside and there were creatures I hadn't seen
since my childhood — butterflies! There were Swallowtails, kinds of
Grayling and a variety of blues. This spectacle stayed with me after we
returned home and I started wondering where are our butterflies in
Britain?

We set about trying to find them by following public footpaths
mainly in the Blackdown Hills, but although on one occasion we found
a lot of dragonflies (Odonata), there were very few butterflies. Walking
along one track signposted as a public footpath, we found a chicken
run across the way and when we diverted to get past the run we were
told off for trespassing. This was not the first time we had been told off.
That did it — we decided we would buy some land and cultivate our
own butterflies. At that time it seemed most natural habitats would be
destroyed and I knew something of butterfly requirements from
studying and collecting them as a child in the late 1940s. There would
also be a lot to learn in the process. We wanted to keep bees, another
early aspiration, and owning a small area of land would make this
easier.

On a 1:25,000 scale map I drew a circle with a five mile radius from
home, in the Blackdown Hills, which would be no more than ten
minutes driving time away and wrote to all the farms in that area to see

106 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 4 |

if any had an odd area of land they would be prepared to sell. Most
didn't reply and some refused politely, but one showed us two areas on
his land he would sell. One was two or so acres, but rather exposed
and well manured. It was very green and too rich for butterflies which
usually like impoverished soil. The other site he showed us was just
under an acre, unsuitable for farming, beautifully sheltered by trees on
two sides and was completely wild, being covered with gorse (Ulex
europaeus), heather (Calluna vulgaris) and bracken (Pteridium
aquilinum). There were piles of stones, so it was probably a dumping
area for stones from the adjoining fields. Also impressive was one large
Corsican pine (Pinus nigra var. maritima) in the lower part of it. It has
a south-east facing slope and so becomes active for butterflies early in
the day.

Access is not easy however, being across the moor on the hill above
it, along tracks which have been made deep by farm vehicles because
the farmer who sold it to us also sold part of the moor to a
neighbouring farmer. It is a lovely walk across the moor in any case, but
we needed motorised access to the bees. The part of the moor he sold
had beautiful purple heather, but since it has been used for farming one
might think it had never been anything else than a field. I have a
photograph of it when it was covered in heather (Plate 96I, Fig. 1).

Some people thought we were mad. Whoever had heard of anyone
cultivating butterflies at that time? Even the green woodpecker seemed
to be laughing at us! By now it was early 1974 and we started a log
book of visits to the habitat which is maintained to this day with over
620 visits to date July 1995).

We set out to do what we intended regardless of the weather or we
would never have got anything achieved.

We thought it would be nice if we could go somewhere in our old
age to watch blues and coppers with their brilliant colours which
illuminate a countryside which is comparatively dreary without
them.

The land cost no more that a new TV set and it was marvellous at
weekends, having been in an office all week, to get out into the
countryside and work away to try to produce something spectacular. It
beats any sport because there is a glorious end product and it is just as
good for keeping fit.

Out first objective was to map it and learn what was already there. A
lot of people said it was too small, but we have been working on the

| Volume 55 + June 1996 107

“honeypot” concept and in any case, in later years, we bought the small
field adjacent to add to it (Plate 96I, Fig. 2).

We have been working on two principles: One. To grow plants and
introduce the relevant butterflies to them by breeding and releasing, and
two, as with the honeypot idea, grow certain plants to attract butterflies
from the surrounding area. Number one has failed completely as will be
demonstrated later, but valuable knowledge and experience has been
gleaned from it. Most importantly, wanting to know what natural
habitats were like so we could copy them, we found excellent sites
which had no protection and which we were subsequently able to save.
It has proved far better to save existing sites than to try and create them
artificially, but it all stemmed from our work on this habitat. Number
two has succeeded admirably and in this respect we have achieved most
of what we set out to do, except that these days there are not many
habitats for the butterflies to move in from.

One thing that concerned us a lot in the early days was access, as
mentioned earlier. One useful track from the Hemyock direction had a
trench cut across it (it is near an old ruin with buddleia B. davidii), and
there was some contention when the owner of the moor (Blackdown
Common), set about preventing motorised access because cars and
motorbikes had been causing a nuisance to walkers and eroding the
tracks. However, he was agreeable to our using the car on occasions.
Mostly we leave the car near Purchase Farm among a lot of others
visiting Culmstock Beacon and walk over. One snowy day, we were
advised by the farmer there to leave it in an adjoining track. On another
snowy occasion (1st January 1979) we thought it best to leave it again
where advised to previously, only to find on our return that our exit
was blocked by another vehicle. It belonged to the farm and they
wouldn't move it because they said that I had blocked off their tractor
shed. There was no sign of the farmer who had told us to park there on
a previous occasion, so we still had “Wild West” encounters even with
our own land! There are other access routes, but it is not practical to
approach from the Somerset end of the moor, for instance, which
means driving over seemingly miles of rough track, the habitat being
in Devon.

We had to think of a name for the site. It was the upper part of a
field known as Top Pasture, but we noted in the Deeds that the old
name for the field was Little Breach (Fig. 1), a name no longer in use,
so that is what it had to be and hopefully not confused with the well-
known Somerset Wildlife Trust reserve of Great Breach Wood.

108 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36

In conservation it is normal to find an area containing rare wildlife
and try to save it by purchase, lease or agreement, but this was the
other way round. We found some land and determined to make a
scarce wildlife area, but by far the most important aspect of this project
is as mentioned earlier. In order to create artificial habitats we have to
see what natural ones are like so we can copy them. When we found
them we realised they were being destroyed mainly by becoming
overgrown with trees. We were able to negotiate with the Forestry
Commission who have control of them, to save them, and _ this
coincided with a change in their policy in favour of conservation. So
Little Breach spawned the saving of some natural habitats, one of which
is possibly unique in England by virtue of the combination of natural
rare species that fly together. (Duke of Burgundy, Wood white and
Marsh fritillary).

Over the years

In 1974, we mainly surveyed wildlife already there, mapping and
observing, although by summer we had cleared and burnt some of the
gorse scrub (Ulex europdeus) and started growing special butterfly
plants such as bird's foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and blackthorn
(Prunus spinosa). On 22nd June a Small pearl-bordered fritillary
(Boloria selene) and a Common blue (Polyommatus icarus) were seen
laying eggs. The Green hairstreak (Callophrys rubi) is a species which
has been there all the time and we were careful not to clear the
particular gorse it was using. Where the scrub had been cleared,
bracken loops started and every week we nipped of the heads with a
sickle. This continued until 1976 when the bracken had only been
weakened by nipping and we had to resort to spraying with Asulam
(Plate 96J, Fig. 3). In clearing, we saved an attractive patch of heather,
but this has since been overtaken by gorse. Even so, gorse is slow to
re-establish and there seems little need to treat the stumps.

The two largest of the five or so dragonflies to turn up in 1974 were
the Golden-ringed dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) and the Broad-
bodied chaser (Libellula depressa). We set up three artificial flowers
near the Green hairstreaks comprising small bottle lids stuffed with
cotton wool soaked in honey and sugar. Each had a different colour
collar either yellow, white or purple. Green hairstreaks went for the
yellow and brimstones (Gonepteryx rhamni) for the purple. Linda
monitored the set-up. On 6th July I saw a Dark green fritillary
(Argynnis aglaja) in the adjoining field, but none ever again. The first

‘Parsasqo uaeq ose BADY
DU DIVIL DssalTs puv* wngp-d
Divobhay ‘Dey DS vibrouDay,
Bes erica ee eee dAlasay AYioung Yyovarg apy ‘1 ‘Sig
‘wivi& siuukbsy * aor7207 sob,

109

Wy PH Sequioos

LOS
(rs

Fup pom snonpize>

—————— heh Sj qosee

oe es
1 OY ms fa

Ni
WW
S9/4490 @T4IG — sat MO) re mi

A BS Je Oe Ok an a
falassoé FM USWIDIC LC Spe )- asc) ebt4ano> ppuibisc
pur sares Ksoz/Suc4> 4¢ SUyOd-yyBil4

O
“ $92/014 A =o) "25 FS IO]
serRey 1) | oa
2 J4N2 StIOBTDIDD | 2 We BeUAouild
SuscuawD/e? §
= usoy wong buibsny y
SROAldY d
e aixonskeuopy 7}
YADA Peawe;-srai> |
LO UIOUBMONG 4jAD/- 4 ii og
Ke) S90 POS s-syAegG q : mma saaeus) G | Uber
o =(b0§ Dud sausmo> SD) > l i a \ f |
svb 5) C ‘ J d 1 | : th
= Sie anew PS Lay SS | LVLI@VH SG ne S| ZION te Z
=) SJUD]q PPNposju| j RSet y S | Se pt IVIIGWHseusne ag
e) . oadp be a S, | GNV INMOC Wp EN Toto a ca |
> ae EN ae ee al £ | ' ! d | S, ! Means ONv1 HivaH'\ ‘ |
os. we 2 Blae Oe. i i oe nee { a } £ ae \
a Cae ! ig | es) | 46 nt ee | sik eee eae ata mi)
STOVE EDs ain : f 7 ee H { *, 's) Hh) Vt
“<uak «0008, i } j | i deo IP6~ Sy: u Fe epee etn é j
pict y oe Re

Ip ly | j
[mo H
PUDs UBo- 09 4sadd9 | (sD wEtZ= €a) | {i u | 7 45070 5- | TMS. | cal | po ey 4
! th | ' | 7 | &

Wg UMOE Fg O SFAda¢g j | S (CS |
azn 69 APS | arac Co BuSOr 3).
’ u Ae S/T
(40) Sa-renbs ain) 00¢:) wr25 | ey eal Lope eee Eee a
‘ sda2s | | UTE Tay (er >) Duc 4ourve-) g Vv.
| or epee ple ee Bere ee eA Sat @ pe earn ON reer Ve
agissog se Appiazang 40 { | ar: SivawrsasSu) saWaDeA

Saisacs Audis $0 4y SwOy BQ DQS T eet ' "La es Gens oe : TiS EA RAM. Pak HORS alae teh Gaeae, a7 Ns a ri a SS
| i | fone Yay iin | PS4OH Wy audduiid es4oe \ inne
d \ fh ects ea

Pwo0leG of Partvpt burac s' pur
‘Buing tur dcy p9ss ueeg 4arou sou
eMOUy 9: SD 4D> SY YOIWM pum. prov

yb6nou PO WO'R40C DS: YoDe4g ana/7

FJAYSSIY AISYIL ING eas
H>WadA ATL LIT : silica et ae.

110 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3

year there were also a few Marbled whites (Melanargia galathea) in the
adjoining field which was grazed for only two weeks in the year. We
also saw a ginger-coloured Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus). We had
cleared an area of scrub by October which would hopefully be turned
into a herb-rich meadow by liming. One and a half tons of lime were
stored in the open and later another half a ton.

On 28th May 1975 we set up a hive for bees (Apis mellifera) on the
moorland as it was then, above the reserve — a small one acre triangle
which we have since bought. It produced 29lbs of honey in the first
season. We kept the bees for five years until butterfly work had to take
priority.

The quarter acre meadow area (“‘downland” on the map) had 35cwt
of lime spread on it. There were some experiments such as planting
cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix) from the moor and some herb-rich
turves from near Orchard Wood (all with permission from the owners),
but they largely failed. Scattering seed in sparse herbage seems the
most effective way of growing wild plants if the soil is suitable. Some
plants succeed if planted out, notably shrubs, trees and such slightly
woody plants as rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium) and
marjoram (Origanum vulgare). There has also been success in the long
run with many other plants which have settled in in a haphazard way
rather than in the disciplined plant circles we set up for them and we
soon found that the greater the level of artificiality, the more work they
demanded to maintain them and it doesn't look natural. Some
blackthorn bushes died out, but three to four foot high young bushes
succeeded admirably and have become invasive.

In May 1976 a buzzard (Buteo buteo) nested nearby and on 23rd
May, two released Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina) were seen
pairing from 15 Sussex pupae put down, but no eggs resulted; possibly
the area where the cowslips (Primula veris) were growing was too
shaded. Further attempts at introduction of the Duke of Burgundy have
been abandoned because their plants tend to dry out on the south-east
facing slope of greensand. The way the plants tend to go their own
way was demonstrated by nettles (Urtica dioica). We scattered some
nitrogen to encourage them and planted some out, but they died, yet
others grew for a time in the meadow area and actually supported
Peacocks Undchis io) one season. Some plants tend to come and go; it
seemed as though Cock's-foot grass (Dactylis glomeratus) would push
out everything else, yet it declined after a few seasons and I wonder if
it used up all the nutrients?

| Volume 55 * June 1996 111

As previously noted, where scrub had been removed, bracken
immediately took over and on 3rd July 1976 I “blitzed” it with 1fl.oz. of
Asulox per half gallon of water, using in all, 16 half-gallon fillings of the
sprayer. We started at 8am and finished at lpm. The following year this
turned out to have been 90% effective. Subsequent spot treatment of
odd fronds in key areas helped to keep it at bay for over ten years.

On lst August 1976 at 12.30pm a male Chalkhill blue (Lysandra
coridon) flew past, settling briefly on a buttercup (Ranunculus repens).
It was following the contour of the hill from south-west to north-east
and must have come from at least 20 miles away.

In the early days we set up a weather station and this was dutifully
monitored by Linda, but it didn't tell us much we didn't already know
such as it being colder higher up the hill.

On Ist January 1977 we started planting in the circles — one metre in
diameter with stones marking them, heavily limed to a depth of 18
inches, so much that black soil turned grey. Horseshoe vetch
(Hippocrepis comosa) was the first and 59 plants were introduced to six
of the circles. Wire netting covers against rabbits were fastened with ten
inch “hairpins” pressed into the ground.

No machinery had been used in the early years, only slasher,
mattock, scythe, sickle, spade and fork. Most of the brash was burnt.
Nowadays a two-stroke brush cutter is used.

We set up 30 brick markers at the intersections of each ten metre
square so we could plot plants and observations on the map, but this
extremely ordered discipline was soon abandoned. Attempts to grow
storksbill (Erodium cicutarium) in the greensand soil failed completely,
possibly because it wasn't warm enough for it.

On 30th July I had upset the bees, which were now on the lower
part of the reserve because the adjacent part of the moor where they
were previously had been sold, so I decided to enter the reserve from
the opposite end to lessen the chances of being stung. I was about to
place my hands on top of the bank to clamber over when a large
brown female adder (Vipera berus) stared me in the face at eye-level on
top of the bank. Marbled whites were by now established on the
reserve, having transferred from Top Pasture.

In December 1977 we dug a small pond in the south corner. Mr
Wheeler of Pithayne Farm, from whom we bought the original habitat
and who had been taking an interest, had divined two water courses
converging at that point. This was so we could obtain water for new
plants, but it only fills up in the very wettest weather.

12 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society : sé

During 1978 a lot of planting took place and the few of each plant
which survived mostly exist to this day, except Garlic mustard (Alliaria
petiolata) which has defied all attempts to introduce it to this soil. I had
some larger plant circles which we called “Saturn” and “Jupiter”, which
are now part of the meadow area and don't appear to be “gardened”
(Plate 96J, Fig. 4). I have also been unable to grow kidney vetch
(Anthyllis vulneraria) because it behaves like an annual and disappears
after one season of flowering. |

The part of the moor above, which we now own, was cleared in May
1978. At about that time, one of the local beekeepers visited and said
that my bees were weak. Another advised to gas the weak hive and he
would sell me some strong ones, which I did, but the first bee-man said
I had been conned into getting rid of a hive, yet he was the first to tell
me they were no good. One's own judgement in these matters is more
valuable than a novice might suppose of himself.

In February 1979 we planted 15 clumps of Snowdrops (Galanthus
nivalis) saved from Wimbleball reservoir which was under construction.
Some survive to this day but they haven't spread. We took some spring
honey which we believe to have been sallow (Salix spp.) with a
distinctive taste and examination of the pollen in it bore this out. The
only problem is if you take this early honey you have to spring feed the
bees to replace it. In June 1979 we got the car stuck taking in some
new bees. After unloading the bees we managed to drive up the side of
the hill with Mr Wheeler pushing.

Grizzled skippers (Pyrgus malvae) were seen up to this time (25th
May 1978). Apart from the Dark green fritillary which was never proved
to be indigenous to the site, they are the only butterfly we seem to
have lost permanently, although the Brown hairstreak (Thecla betulae)
and Dingy skipper (Erynnis tages) have come and gone. On lst July,
after the ownership of the Common changed, we were requested by
the Somerset Wildlife Trust farming adviser (acting on behalf of the
owner) not to drive on the Common from Purchase Farm. However,
she let us through when we explained our objectives. A common
Orchid (Orchis sp.) appeared, one of only two since we have managed
it; but it was damaged even though we placed a wire cover over it (7th

July).

Some scattered Cow-wheat (Velampyrum pratense) seed has grown
each year since 1979, but was last seen in 1994. Ivy (Hedera helix) has
become the dominant ground cover in its small area, also precluding
dog violets (Viola riviniana). On 5th December 1979, a fencer planted

L - ] Volume 55 * June 1996 113

Lawson's cypresses (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) along the south-west
and north-west borders to shelter the site from winds. This has proved
very effective, but perhaps they should be trimmed to a smaller size.
Some elm standards were planted from which only one remains which
I think is a disease-resistant variety (Ulmus variegata).

On 26th May 1980 we released 110 well-grown Chalkhill blue larvae.
All they had to do was finish feeding, pupate and emerge as butterflies,
but only one or two resulted and we were prevented from trying again
the following year because we lost our breeding stock, possibly
because of carnivorous slugs. In subsequent years the horseshoe vetch
became overgrown by Cock's foot and other grasses. We did, however,
learn how to promote sustained growth of the vetch which will be
explained later. Quite a few small mammal droppings were found and
they could be from the lethal predator; it must surely have been a
predator which doesn't occur on downland, the natural home of the
Chalkhill blue.

On 10th July 1980 we placed out seven or eight Brown hairstreak
pupae in a box with a slot. Thirty-seven eggs at least resulted on the
surrounding Blackthorn. Previous years had yielded five or six eggs per
year, but no more were seen after 65 in 1981 and tall bracken tends to
obscure the Blackthorns up to head height.

Plants were being grown in some quantity now, but large numbers of
them have disappeared except for some, usually the finer specimens.
By 21st December 1980 it was necessary to spend four hours cutting
the gorse which had grown back following the initial clearing. Our
friend in Sussex had sent some Emperor moth eggs (Saturnia pavonia)
and on 19th April 1981 we successfully “assembled” a male on top of
the moor with a female from the bred stock. Horses had been coming
in from the moor to graze and trampling the habitat, so we set up a two
strand barbed-wire fence round the habitat, which holds good to this
day.

Two building blocks were placed over one of the horseshoe vetch
circles and on 26th May 1981 we planted two horseshoe vetch between
the blocks and covered with wire netting. All the other horseshoe
vetches have long since disappeared, but vetch still exists to this day
(14 years later), between the building blocks. I think this is because the
blocks provide a warm dry microclimate for the leafy fronds and
prevent other plants crowding them out. Where there is_ little
competition Rockrose has done well. The Dingy skipper appeared in
1981 and about this time some Common blues also did well in the plant -

114 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society t

circles. There is a lot of trefoil for it there now and first broods appear,
but not particularly from the sites of the original plant circles.

Nothing much happened in 1982 when I was not well. In 1983 I
sighted a worn Dingy skipper briefly on 5th July. By 18th July 1983 the
site became part of the Blackdown and Sampford Commons re-
scheduled Site of Special Scientific Interest which meant an end to
some of the less natural experiments which had been undertaken
Operations now had to be approved before they could be undertaken.
We were given consent in perpetuity to spray the bracken, clear the
birch (Betula spp.) and cut the scrub.

The year 1984 was uneventful, but in 1985 I made over ownership to
the British Butterfly Conservation Society for £1 with the then Chairman
and myself as trustees and in 1993 I purchased from Mr R. Garrett of
Pitt Farm, Culmstock the triangular piece of land above, which had
been moorland and then farmland of one acre. It is currently willed to
Butterfly Conservation (Plate 96K, Fig. 5). I still have a slide of it when
the heather was in full flower, but when farmed it looked as if it had
always been a field for livestock. It is good for butterflies as a flight
area and favours breeding of the Small copper (Lycaena phlaeas),
Marbled white and other Satyrine species, and the golden Skippers
(Thymelicus sylvestris and Ochlodes venata). It is mainly grass becoming
dense, but with some gorse and bracken, and is outside the limits of
thesSSSic

Between 1985 and 1993 Linda became ill with Multiple Sclerosis and
I was her full-time carer until her death on 28th August 1993. This
severely restricted my aspirations and ability to get out and even
observe the site.

Devon Branch of Butterfly Conservation published an appeal for
help because the reserve was becoming overgrown and _ under-
recorded. As a result, Liz Mallinson of Hemyock offered to record and
David Hinde of Uffculme organised a work party of his colleagues to
take out some of the scrub and spray the bracken, which they did
effectively. David also supplied and helped to plant many young trees
in the new area as future windbreaks, including many Alder
buckthorns (Frangula alnus) which the Brimstones appreciate. His
colleagues even brought in a shredder, chain-saws and brush-cutters
and made up some new steps into the reserve as well. I also paid a
woodman to do some of the work. The reserve badly needed this
management and is now in good shape. David's colleagues returned in
1995 to treat the bracken again.

tf Volume 55 * June 1996 115

Between 1988 and 1991, Marbled whites disappeared because they
were attracted into the field above and then grazed out. This was one
of the reasons for purchasing that part of the land (Plate 906K, Fig. 6).
Some sheep found their way into the old part of the reserve and grazed
them out of there as well. The fence between there and Top Pasture
has now been improved. They are now back and particularly like the
new area.

Some planted majoram in the old area is a marvellous summer nectar
source as are some of the others mentioned in the plant list. The site
seems suitable for Dingy and Grizzled skippers, but perhaps their
nearby habitats have been lost so they can't transfer so easily, although
both exist at Buckland Wood five miles to the north-east. My colleague
Tony Liebert also helped to clear some birches. On 28th June 1991 I
released, with consent from English Nature, some Dark-green fritillary
pupae, but the butterflies were never seen — because of that mysterious
predator again? Each year I hold back the invasive purple moor grass
(Molinia caerulea) by spraying the tussocks as they form with a garden
applicator of “Tumbleweed” (Glyphosate), acknowledged by English
Nature. A Cox's apple tree planted out of curiosity has survived, though
not fruiting and a very small Crab apple persists. Golden Delicious
failed.

I had made over 620 visits to the reserve by June 1995 and below are
other miscellaneous comments not worked into their chronology in the
preceding text. Linda had a bench-seat she could use to read her crime
novels while I worked and observed the habitat. It soon went rusty and
someone had the audacity to steal it. Also a bird nesting box appeared
and someone else destroyed it. The hunt raced through one day with
dogs after a deer with a terrified look on its face, there were also a deer
poacher and one or two ramblers, but we have not often been
bothered by other people.

On 29th April 1982 I noted a tiny plume of smoke on the other side
of the moor. This soon advanced on a broad front to engulf a large part
of the moor in flames. I informed Purchase Farm but it was an hour
before the Fire Brigade arrived.

Between 1988 and 1991, Marbled whites disappeared because they
were attracted into the field above and then grazed out. This was one
of the reasons for purchasing that part of the land (Plate 96K, Fig. 6).
Some sheep found their way into the old part of the reserve and grazed
them out of there as well. The fence between there and Top Pasture
has now been improved. They are now back and particularly like the
new area.

116 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 32

I now have more time to observe and work on the habitat, so its near
future, at least, is assured. None of the butterflies there now have been
released and the meadow part in the old area is so successful because
the more dominant plants grow thinly on the impoverished soil
enabling more delicate larval and nectar plants to survive. Sparse false
oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) prevails in the meadow area. Coarse
grasses invade where cutting is the main management tool (Plate 96L,
Fig. 7).

Summary

If cultivating butterflies can be summed up in one sentence, it is that
the amount of maintenance necessary is directly proportional to
divergence from the natural. Of course all habitats have to be frozen in
a particular stage of succession because butterfly sites are transient and
there are various well-known ways of achieving this: scrub and grass
cutting, carefully controlled grazing by various animals including rabbits
and chemical treatment of plants. Because some of the management
may be deleterious in the short term, it is important to only affect a
portion of the breeding area at any one time and create unmanaged
holding areas by fencing, from which the butterflies can colonise when

the surrounding area becomes suitable. This is difficult with only a
small area, especially where grazing is concerned, so other
means have to be applied to places like Little
Breach as described (Plate 96L, Fig. 8).

The butterflies

Thymelicus sylvestris, Small skipper — Common since

grassy areas have developed. :

Ochlodes venata, Large skipper — Appears a couple of weeks before the
Small skipper and is common in the grassy places.

Pyrgus malvae, Grizzled skipper — Disappeared after a few years and
has shown no sign of returning. There are quite a lot of wild
strawberries (Fragaria vescd).

Erynnis tages, Dingy skipper — Appeared when Bird's foot trefoil (Lotus
corniculatus) was grown for it, but disappeared again after one
successful brood.

Colias croceus, Clouded yellow — A migrant seen occasionally.

dé Volume 55 ° June 1996 117

Gonepteryx rhamni, Brimstone — Successfully bred in the reserve
following the planting of Alder buckthorns (Frangula alnus). One
bush was there originally.

Pieris brassicae, Large white — A common visitor.
P. rapae, Small white — seen from time to time.

P. napi, Green-veined white — Often seen but haven't been able to
verify its breeding status.

Anthocharis cardamines, Orange tip — Often lays eggs on the Lady's
smock (Cardamine pratensis) grown specially.

Callophrys rubi, Green hairstreak — One of the original occupants. Has
been seen to use the Gorse (Ulex europaeus), but it is not certain
whether it lays eggs on the Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Sheltered
gorse was saved for it when clearing, during the pupal stage.

Thecla betulae, Brown hairstreak — No eggs found recently.

Quercusia quercus, Purple hairstreak — Seen in the early days but there
hasn't been time to study the trees for eggs or adults recently. (One
seen 28.7.95.)

Satyrium w-album, White-letter hairstreak — A friend believes he saw
one on the garden privet (ligustrum vulgare) in 1994, and the
surviving elm (Ulmus variegata), flowered in spring 1995.

Lycaena phlaeas, Small copper — The scarce first brood appears here
and it is one of the regular inhabitants.

Aricia agestis, Brown argus — One appeared on 206.8.92 and there is
Rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium) for it. A large mint
condition female seen 5.8.95.

Polyommatus icarus, Common blue — Now produces a spring brood as
well as a summer brood.

Lysandra coridon, Chalkhill blue — The subject of an outlandish
experiment to introduce it and its larval plant. A natural adult was
seen in 1976.

Celastrina argiolus, Holly blue — Seen laying on Ling (Calluna vulgaris)
flower buds, but has disappeared during its recent nationwide
decline.

118 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 32

Hamearis lucina, Duke of Burgundy — There are still some Cowslips
there but they tend to dry out on the sandy soil so an introduction
would probably fail. |

Vanessa atalanta, Red admiral — Likes to nectar on the reserve.

Cynthia cardui, Painted lady — This migrant appears from time to time.
There are thistles (Cirsium arvense) for it in the new area.

Aglais urticae, Small tortoiseshell — Likes to nectar on the reserve.
Inachis to, Peacock — Produced a brood one year.

Polygonia c-album, Comma — Seen in most years. Not known if it uses
the elm.

Boloria selene, Small pearl-bordered fritillary — Another of the original
occupants seen every year searched for.

B. euphrosyne, Pearl-bordered fritillary — Only one seen, it seems to
now be extinct in the Blackdowns. ,

Argynnis aglaja, Dark green fritillary — One seen in adjoining field on
6.7.74, but none seen since for certain.

A. paphia, Silver-washed fritillary -—Reckon to see this every year like
the Small pearl-bordered. It likes to nectar on the plants provided.

Eurodryas aurinia, Marsh fritillary - One seen on 4.6.77, but must have
been a wanderer. Scabious (Succisa pratensis) planted in cold
weather didn't do so well as that planted in warmer weather and
ter torit

Parage aegeria, Speckled wood — Appears most years perching in the
lower woodland area.

Lasiommata megera, Wall brown — One or two seen most years, usually
in the second brood.

Pyronia tithonus, Gatekeeper — Nectars on the Marjoram (Origanum
vulgare). Watched a male and female meet, they coupled
immediately with ceremony. Up to 50 can be seen at one time on the
marjoram.

Melanargia galathea, Marbled white — Plenty nowadays, but we lost
them when they were grazed out for a while.

Hipparchia semele, Grayling — Comes down from the moor in ones and
twos. Uses bristle bent grass (Agrostis setaced).

| Volume 55 + June 1996 119

Maniola jurtina, Meadow brown — Common.

Aphantopus hyperantus, Ringlet — Usually well apparent.

Coenonympha pamphilus, Small heath — Usually one or two. One year
they did well on a dry stony patch, but it is not known why.

Callimorpha dominula — Moths have not been trapped, but a Scarlet

tiger appeared on 23.7.94.

The plants

e =introduced ? = origin unsure, may have self-seeded.

Achillea millefolium
Agrostis setacea

A. capillaris

Ajuga reptans
Arrhenatherum elatius
Barbarea vulgaris
Betula pendula
Blechnum spicant
Buddleja davidii
Calluna vulgaris
Cardamine pratensis
Centaurea nigra
Cerastium fontanum
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana
Chrysanthemum leucanthemum
Cirsium arvense

C.. palustre

C.. vulgare

Cotoneaster integerrimus
Corylus avellana
Crataegus monogynda

yarrow

bristle bent grass
common bent grass
bugle

false oat grass

winter cress

silver birch tree

hard fern

buddleia, butterfly bush
ling heather

lady's smock, cuckoo flower
knapweed, hardheads
mouse-ear

Lawson's cypress tree
ox-eye daisy
creeping thistle

marsh thistle

spear thistle
cotoneaster

hazel

hawthorn

120 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Dactylis glomerata
Digitalis purpurea
Dipsacus fullonum
Erica cinerea
Eupatorium cannabinum
Fagus sylvatica
Fragaria vesca
Frangula alnus
Galanthus nivalis
Galium mollugo

G. verum

Hedera helix
Helianthemum nummularium
Hippocrepis comosa
Holcus lanatus

H. mollis

Ilex aquifolium
Lathyrus pratensis
Ligustrum sp.

Lonicera periclymenum
Lotus corniculatus

L. uliginosus

Luzula multiflora
Lychnis flos-cuculi
Malus sp.

Malus sp.

Melampyrum pratense
Molinia caerulea

Myosotis sp.

cock's-foot grass
foxglove

wild teasel

bell heather

hemp agrimony
beech tree

wild strawberry
alder buckthorn shrub
snowdrop

hedge bedstraw
lady's bedstraw
ivy

wild rockrose
horseshoe vetch
yorkshire fog grass
creeping soft-grass
holly tree

meadow vetchling
garden privet bush
honeysuckle

bird's foot trefoil
greater bird's foot trefoil
heath woodrush
ragged robin

Cox's apple

tiny apple
cow-wheat

purple moor-grass

forget-me-not

Orchis sp. 2 appeared after clearing (not seen since)

Origanum vulgare
Pinus nigra

Primula veris

wild marjoram
Corsican pine tree

cowslip

we Volume 55 + June 1996 121

P. vulgaris © primrose
Prunella vulgaris e self-heal
Prunus spinosa e blackthorn bush

Pteridium aquilinum
Quercus robur
Ranunculus repens

Rubus fruticosus
Rumex acetosella
Salix caprea

S. cinerea

Senecio jacobaea
Silene dioica
Stachys officinalis
Succisa pratensis
Teucrium scorodonia
Ulex europaeus
Ulmus variegata
Urtica dioica
Vaccinium myrtillus
Viola riviniana

bracken

pedunculate oak
creeping buttercup

blackberry

sheep's sorrel

goat willow, pussy willow tree
common sallow tree
ragwort

red campion
betony

devil's-bit scabious
wood sage

gorse

elm tree

stinging nettle
bilberry

dog violet

An uncommon moth at Park Hall Country Park, Staffordshire
by Jan Koryszko (6089)

3 Dudley Place, Meir, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire ST3 7AY.

In July 1995, in the company of Mr Derek Heath, I visited Park Hall
Country Park, Staffordshire. We were beating gorse bushes when I
captured a Grass emerald (Pseudoterpna pruinata atropunctaria,
Walker). This is only the second Grass emerald I have taken here, the
other was during 1992 in almost the same spot. It is a very local and
uncommon moth in Staffordshire. I have also recorded this species,
again in very small numbers, at Barlaston Rough Close Common, during
the 1980s. Other Staffordshire records are from Burnt Wood, Forton,
Cannock Chase, Churnet Valley and Swynnerton.

122 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society tf

Eggs found in a gynandromorph of the Malayan jungle nymph,
Heteropteryx dilatata (Phasmida)

=a} hea cacnnad incect qeccmhen ace n > oied : =-
nympn. The second insect described has now died and posi mortem
ms

S
or the eggs were tully developed and microscopic mspection

4 ee! fe OE. Pon bee ee ee eee ees pA Ee ee
gia not reveal any adiierence petrween these cges anGd CZes faiG@ Dy
ripe = = pal E bs ee Cggos oe ea ee eek Se
normal females. A scale drawing oi this second inseci is also included
nere together wiih a Grawing oi ihe very aDnommnal geniiaha present

Reference

LA dAhAAAAAA

aw .
a eal 2 Bebo vdisegm

2
=
re
4 iS = SS
~ = rat —_— shh < = Py Herm tat onan onenamnrnh —- Shc oe ots =
ocale C V oC e second Heieropien iMaigia & ancgromorip anG itS genitalia

Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Fig. 2. The same area, but in 1995. Note the Marbled white on the thistle in the centre.

PLATE 906]

Volume 55 « June 1996 34

Fig. 4. With the gorse and bracken under control, limed plant circles were set up (1978).

This shows horseshoe vetch and bird's-foot trefoil in flower and cowslips in the left
foreground.

PLATE 96]

Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Fig. 5. This is the field situated above the original field in 1977, part of which (not featured),
we bought in 1993 to extend the reserve (see Fig. 8).

Fig. 6. This is the same view but in 1984.

PLATE 96K

+ June 1996

Volume 55

|
NB)
—
rene |
rea

atner
ceatiivti.

ad Volume 55 * June 1996 123

Some notes on butterflies in Cambridge during 1995

by Brian Gardiner (225)

2 Highfield Avenue, Cambridge CB4 2AL.

Last year was one of the best I have seen in my Cambridge garden for
many a year. In particular I was both pleased and surprised at the
numbers of the spring and summer species that appeared in my garden,
including one species not previously seen, even nearby. The autumn
species were, however, on the low side.

The year started well with the usual appearance of Brimstones
(Gonepteryx rhamni), Peacocks Unachis io) and Small tortoiseshells
(Aglais urticae) coming out of hibernation. They were followed by
Orange-tips (Anthocharis cardamines) which. regularly breed in my
garden. Exceptionally common were two of the whites, the Green-
veined (Pieris napi) being very abundant during spring and early
summer, with a sprinkling of Small whites (P. rapae) among them and
as the Green-veined faded away they were replaced by more and more
of the Small whites which continued into the autumn and quite clearly
had gone through three generations. At any time of day, from May to
September, with reasonable weather, one could not go into, nor look
out of, a window onto the garden without spotting several specimens
which sometimes went into double figures. They were accompanied by
other species, although always as singletons and only from time to time
for any one of them except the Vanessids which where much more
regularly seen. These species were Small tortoiseshells, Peacocks, Red
admirals (Vanessa atalanta) Small or Large skippers (7hymelicus
sylvestris and Ochlodes venata), Small heaths (Coenonympha
pamphilus), Gatekeepers (Pyronia tithonus) and Meadow browns
(Maniola jurtina). A curious habit of these last was to fly into the
house which a few of the Small whites also did but none of the other
species. A very surprising scarcity was that of the Large white (Pieris
brassicae) of which I only recollect seeing two
examples. Normally it is as common as the
Small white and for the first time there was a
complete absence of any eggs having been laid
on my nasturtiums.

Holly blues (Celastrina argiolus) which for
many years have bred regularly in the garden
but were not sighted in 1994, returned in force,
particularly in the second brood and were also

124 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe

seen on Cambridge market. The most surprising sighting of one,
however, was in the grounds of Pembroke College on 13th October,
which surely must have been a third brood example brought about by
the extremely hot weather we had experienced.

One newcomer to my garden, a single sighting, was of a Common
blue (Polyommatus icarus). The autumn Nymphalids, however, were
few and far between, there rarely being more than a couple or so on
the buddleia at any one time. In some previous years I have counted
over forty Small tortoiseshells alone. The last sighting of a Red admiral
was on 28th November, to be followed by the earliest sighting of 1996
which was of one on the fine sunny day of 4th January.

Help wanted in Kent
by John Maddocks

26 Edgewood Drive, Orpington, Kent BRO 6LQ.

The Kent branch of Butterfly Conservation is currently working on a
project called “Butterflies for the New Millennium”, which aims to
produce a report and atlas of the current state and distribution of all of
this country's butterflies in the year 2000.

This report is intended to provide the basis for our efforts in the
conservation of butterflies for the next century.

As we are a relatively small group we are in need of some help from
members of other similar groups to help us with some of the recording.
I would be very grateful if members could send me any details of
butterfly sightings that they make in Kent and south-east London, either
in 1996 or during the coming years. I would also be interested in any
sightings that you have for 1995.

Turkey and butterfly identification
by Matthew Rowlings (9108)
87 School Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 8DL.

I am spending a week in Turkey in mid-July this summer and there
appear to be no affordable identification guides on the market. (The
German title, Die Tagfalter Der Ttirkei by Hesselbarth, Van Oorschot
and Wagener is way beyond my means). Could anyone suggest any
books or papers that may be of help in this part of the world, that is,
after all, very close to Europe?

ae Volume 55 + June 1996 125

New British Beetles: Species not in Joy's
practical handbook. by Peter J. Hodge
and Richard A. Jones. British
Entomological and Natural History Society
(BEHNS) 1995, 192pp. Hardback: ISBN 1-899935-00-2

Paperback: ISBN 1-899935-00-2).

Essential is the first word that comes to mind when one considers this
book. Joy's A Practical Handbook of British Beetles is the standard text
most coleopterists use in their identifications, and is currently the only
work easily obtainable that covers all the British families. However,
since this book was published in 1932, with a reprint in 1976 (without
revision) the nomenclature is out-dated and there are many species not
included, which figure, according to Hodge & Jones, is a staggering 650
species. It is not that all these species have been added to the British
list since the publication of Joy, but rather that Joy, in order to make his
book “practical”, omitted very rare and doubtfully British species, a
practice unacceptable by today's standards.

“How to use this book” — what better way to start? Examples are
given of how to find the most up-to-date key for each family, how to
deal with a problem specimen and checking an_ identification.
Information on checklists, recent books, relevant journals and recording
schemes is given. The book proper follows the recent classification and
nomenclature (although a few irregularities were noticed). Each family
(where relevant) is given an introduction to and information on Joy's
keys, including errors. A list of the most recent works, and useful
references covering that family, is given.

Under each family there is a list of the species and variations omitted

from Joy. The latter are included to help determine aberrant specimens.

_ A brief discussion, including description, recognition from closely

related species, identification and references is given for each of the

species. References are organised by date, which allows the reader to
pick out the most recent works.

126 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a4

One point that I did find an annoyance, was that name changes have
not been referenced, so one could not look up how, why and when
these changes came into practice. Saying that, this book is not intended
to be a catalogue or checklist, so such omission is understandable. At
least a few papers which I have found to be of great help in
identification of “difficult” species are not listed.

This book is affordable, helpful and easy to use and, although a
complete revision of Joy is one of the things I dream of, pipe dreams I
know, (this: book -is~ thes next-best thing. > Let quspeuepe. teat
Hymenopterists, Dipterists and other specialists follow suit and produce
such a useful book for each of their groups.

Darren Mann

Microlepidoptera of Europe. Edited by P. Huemer, O. Karsholt and L.
Lyneborg: Volume 1: Pterophoridae by Cees Géielis. 8vo. pp222
including 16 coloured and 49 plain plates. ISBN 87-88757-360-6. Apollo
Books, Kirkeby Sand, DK-5771 Stenstrup, Denmark 1996. Price DK
350,00 plus postage (approx. £40).

Here at last we have a comprehensive work devoted entirely to the
Pterophoridae. Not before time, the last being the rather brief account
included with the Pyrales in Beirne's British Pyralid and Plume Moths,
now 45 years old and before that only Tutt's Pterophorina of Britain,
(Natural History of the British Lepidoptera, Vol. 5) now very out of date
after 90 years. In view of the fact that some six new Lepidoptera
species per year have turned up in Britain over the past half-century,
then a book that deals with all the European species is to be applauded
as not only do many of us collect abroad these days but we need to be
able to identify the Continental species when they turn up here. Not to
mention vice-versa. Beirne, for instance, quotes Oxyptilus (now
Capperia) britaniodactylas as being confined to England. Here it is
stated to be distributed in western and central Europe.

Europe is treated in the broadest sense to include the Atlantic islands
and the southern Mediterranean littoral. Most of the Palaearctic region
in fact.

The book commences with a historical account of, and then a
general account of, the Pterophoridae which is followed by a chapter
on how to collect them and then how to prepare slides of the genitalia.
There follows a key to the genera and then a check list of all 138
species described in the book with their full synonymy. The account of

|
|

3 Volume 55 * June 1996 127

the species (precluded by salient points of the genera) that follow are
concise and to the point and are laid out under the headings:-
Diagnosis; male genitalia; female genitalia; distribution; biology;
remarks. Almost all species are illustrated in colour, as well as a
number of the early stages, and the genitalia of both sexes as line
drawings. Where the early stages and/or the foodplant is unknown this
is so stated. Neither as verbose as Tutt nor as detailed on the bionomics
as Beirne, the data given is concise and very much to the point and
since full references are given those who wish can consult the original
authorities.

In 1887 Leech listed 29 British plumes; Beirne in 1952 had 35 while
Emmet & Heath in 1952 list 42 species. All of them appear in this book,
although two, Stenoptilia picardi and S. scabiodactylus, are of doubtful
status requiring further investigation as they may well be synonyms of
S. dridus and S. bipunctdactyla respectively.

This book is extremely well laid out and printed. The colour plates,
which include a number of the early stages, are excellent, although I
personally think a magnification of x2 would have been better than the
x2'2 used here. The reference list is very thorough, occupying no less
than 13 pages and it is quite clear from this that the author has gone
back to check all original descriptions. There is an index to all names
quoted in the text and a separate index to the foodplants. There is a
table showing the distribution by country of all the species dealt with.
In such a difficult group as the plumes this can be very useful when

_ dealing with a possible doubtful species, for if its known area is, say,

_ 400 miles from where your doubtful specimen came from, then it is

unlikely (although perhaps not impossible) that it is a new record so far

_ from its base.

Cees Gielis laid the groundwork for this book in his 1993 paper
“Generic revision of the superfamily Pterophoroidea” (Zoologische
Verhandelingen Leiden 290: 1-139). There are, therefore, a number of
changes to the nomenclature given in our most recent book, viz Emmet
& Heath's (1992) Moths & Butterflies of Great Britain & Ireland Vol.
7(2). It is worth pointing these out. In particular the genus Pterophorus
has been substantially split up, leaving but two species in it, one of
which is our familiar white plume moth. The genus Leioptilus is now
Hellinsia with the same five species retained in it; Platyptilia
pallidactyla = Helinsia pallidactyla; P. ocrodactyla = Gilmeria

_ tetradactyla; Stenoptilia saxifragae = S. millieridactyla; S. scabiodactylus

= S. bipunctidactyla; Oxyptilus distans = Crombrughia distans; O. laetus

128 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society yd

= C. laetus; Pterophorus tridactyla = Merrifieldia tridactyla; P.
fuscoclimbatus = M. tridactyla; P. baliodactylus = M. baliodactylus; P.
galactodactyla = Porritia galactodactyla; P. spilodactylus = Wheeleria
spilodactylus; Agdistis staticis = A. meridionalis.

This is the first volume of a projected series on the Microlepidoptera
of Europe and the publishers are offering a 10% discount to subscribers
to the series. The aim is to provide a brief and concise identification
guide which will fill the gap between extensive, revisional and very
expensive Microlepidoptera Palaearctica and local guides. As such, in
view of its wide-ranging coverage, from the North Cape to the Canary
Islands; from Dingle Bay to the Urals, distribution and times of
appearance cannot be but generalisations and local conditions of
latitude and longitude must be taken into account and it may well be,
as is known with many other species, that the further south (warmer!)
we go the greater the possibility of two or more generations. Indeed it
is the southern parts of the area covered where the Microlepidoptera,
particularly their bionomics, are least known. As is pointed out in the
text some species have been so confused (and still are!) that records are
unreliable. This book should ensure that accurate determinations, from
anywhere in Europe can now be made. The Editors and Publisher are
to be congratulated for initiating these series. I understand that the next
volume will deal with the Scythrididae, and in preparation are volumes
on three further groups of the Pyraloidea; the Crambinae, Evergestinae
and Scopariinae.

This is the first book since Tutt 90 years ago to deal solely with the
plume moths and I am sure it will give a temendous boost to the study
of this fascinating and difficult group. My one regret is that it does not
include the twenty-plume moth, traditionally placed with the plumes for
convenience and in whose genus (A/ucita) a number of them have
existed happily in the past.

Hexadactyla

Hawkmoth larvae on Birch

by Bernard Page (0584)
Whilst cleaning out a batch of American moon moth larvae feeding on
silver birch, I came across a very small hawkmoth larva. I reared this up
to full size using birch and it turned out to be a Lime hawk. This moth
is quite common around Enfield, where I live, on lime trees, but I have
never found one on birch before. The larva has now pupated.

3 Volume 55 * June 1996 129

My first holiday abroad
by Matthew Rowlings (9108)

87 School Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 8DL.

My first trip abroad was in August 1984 when my interest in
Lepidoptera was just beginning to consolidate itself as number one over
train spotting. We were visiting relatives in Brussels, Belgium for a
week or so. During this time we got into the countryside on several
occasions. Unfortunately my notes of these excursions are lost Gf, at 13
years old and just starting out, I actually made any notes!) so I have to
rely on memory and the selective notes my father Peter took.

I caught my very first foreign butterfly just outside Brussels. Memory
says I captured it at the bottom of the “Lion on the Hill” memorial at
Waterloo, site of Napoleon's last battle. It was a copper and I excitedly
fished it out of the bottom of my home-made over-long heavy green
muslin net. Not knowing what to expect we trawled through Higgins
and Riley and other field guides and could only conclude that it was a
Small copper (Lycaena phlaeas). Disappointing, but rather than numb
our enthusiasm it spurred us on to find some of the unknown things
that were supposed to fly in these parts.

Our first success was to come a few days later. We had just been to
the canal at Ronquiere to see the tremendous lock — two vast counter-
balanced tubs of water each holding several large barges are pulled
up/down a steep ramp perhaps 500 metres long. We stopped at a
sunny corner in the nearby wooded countryside. Flying around were
three or four very small White admirals — or so we thought. Closer
inspection revealed the second generation Map butterfly (Araschnia
levana f. prorsa) resembling the White admiral on the uppers but with
a unique map-like underwing pattern. I took one back to the house
and put it in the fridge . . . and then got into trouble with our hostess!

Later we spent two days in the picturesque south of the country in
the mountainous limestone Ardennes. As we entered the region we
stopped. at the edge of a wood next to a grazed field. Within seconds
what looked like a large dark fritillary “buzzed” over our heads.
Another followed shortly. In the process of catching one of these beasts
I managed to electrocute myself in the hurry to clamber over the fence
that kept cattle in the grazed field. Once in the open field my chance
came and after a mighty struggle Ihad caught myself a powerful

handsome Large tortoiseshell (Vymphalis polychloros) — not a fritillary

after all.

130 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society — 2

Here in the Ardennes one site in particular will be held responsible
for stimulating my now strong interest in European butterflies. It was a
road-side spot near the village of Belvaux. It had a small grassy area, a
very steep hillside with open vegetation, a densely vegetated wet
stream-side border and a mixture of deciduous trees and, I think,
conifers. Chalk hill blues (Zysandra coridon) were the first excitement
shorily followed by a fully-grown final instar Swallowtail (/apilio
machaon) larva tumbling down the hillside. On the trunk of a road-side
poplar a perfect Large tortoiseshell alighted. Lesser marbled fritillaries
(Brenibis ino) were flying amongst the stream-side plants. I think we
also found the Pearly heath (Coenonympba arcania) here, or certainly
within a few miles. Down in the irickling stream a stunning Lesser
purple emperor (Apaiura ilia) was taking liquid from a moist stone.
Near the conifers a Scoich argus (Erebia aethiops) was fluttering along
the road-side verge. During this time a Belgian lepidopterist from the
north pulled up in his car and started asking us about our butterfly
watching successes. He introduced us to the harsh reality that knowing
your Latin names really does help — sadly my proficiency is_ still
somewhat lacking! Then we witnessed a terrible spectacle. He started
catching and killing everything in sight with no regard for our
enjoyment or for the quality of the specimens he took. It really was an
unpleasant act to waich. Anyway he left shortly after and so did we.
Pulling away we hadn't even got into third gear when Peter slammed
on the brakes and shouted “Swallowitail!”. The unmistakable creature,
larger than our brifannicus, whizzed past us and was gone.

A few miles further on we stopped in a clearing in the forest which
contained several refuse skips. Three gorgeous Lesser purple emperors
circled the skips, presumably attracted by the rotting organic matter. I
don't remember seeing anything else in the opening.

The next day (or perhaps the same day) we moved 20 miles on to a
nature reserve called Lesse et Lomme. It is primarily an area of
marshland and we hoped to find some different butterflies there. We
weren't disappointed and found good numbers of well-wom Pupple-
edged coppers (Lycaena hippothoe). Sadly that was all the weather and
good fortune allowed as clouds came along and the wind picked up
and other sites we visited proved poor.

From these small beginnings I have now travelled abroad at least ten
times, each time with an eye open for butterflies. I have seen many
hundreds of species now but I will always remember Belvaux and the ~
Ardennes as the place where it really began.

3 Volume 55 * June 1996 131

Etymology not entomology
by Gareth King

22 Stoney Meade, Slough, Berkshire SL1 2YT.

When an entomologist is faced with a species not bred before in
captivity, as in the case of Dr Roy (Bulletin, February 1996) and his
three Brazilian Saturniid caterpillars, how do you go about choosing
what to feed the larvae on?

One of the moths detailed, Copaxa canella Walker, should have
made the guessing easier, simply by looking at the specific name —
canella, it might suggest the foodplant in the wild Canella winterana,
or white cinnamon which belongs to the whole family Canellaceae.
Now, unless one knows the staff at Kew Gardens intimately, the chance
of getting hold of the plant is all but remote, but there are related plant
families which might make things simpler: Magnoliaceae (Magnolias
and Tulip trees), for example. Easier still, canela is Spanish for
cinnamon (Cinnamomum), in the family Lauraceae which contains the
genus Laurus, plants not favoured by the Lepidoptera, but this may
lead us to try Prunus laurocerasus Git contains the same aromatic oils),
or even other roseaceous plants, especially almond (Prunus sulcis) or
other Prunus species.

Some of the southern European moths enjoy descriptive names
which tell us something about the species, in much the same way that
we understand that both the specific name Cigustri), and the generic
name (Sphinx), inform us about what the Privet hawk feeds upon, and
in what position the larvae rest; or that Ourapteryx sambucaria eats
Sambucus (elder).

A Geometrid, Pseudoterpna coronillaria Hubner, has quite distinctive
larvae and we can guess in what manner, by its specific name
coronillaria. In Spanish the word coronilla means “crown”, and yes, the
caterpillar does have a rather elegant finish to its head.

Another moth in the same family as the aforementioned, Adalbertia
castiliaria Staudinger, does not leave much to the imagination, and is
indeed a Spanish endemic, occurring, although not exclusively, on the
Castillian meseta.

A more widely distributed Geometrid, Campaea margaritata L., can
only be described after a daisy, which is what it is, margarita means
precisely that in Spanish.

132 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society L

Tephronia sepiaria Hufnagel, is a very interesting Geometrid whose
larvae feed upon lichens that grow upon juniper, but its specific name
tells us instead about the caterpillar's appearance, but only in Spanish.
Sepia is the word for “cuttlefish”, the larva does have chalky
excrescences which could just possibly conjure up an idea: of budgie
food.

A final example is provided by Peribatodes umbraria Hubner, which
takes advantage of the subtleties of light and shade, as it rests against
the trunk of a tree, and we get a hint of meaning in its name;
umbratico, umbroso, umbrio are used in Spanish to denote shadow.

References
Gardiner, B.O.C. (1982). A Silkmoth rearers's handbook, The Amateur Entomologists'
Society. ;
Gomez de Aizptrua, C. (1989). Biologia y Morfologia de las orugas, tomo VII. MAPA,
Madrid.
Heyward, V.H. (1993). Flowering Plants of the World. Batsford Ltd., London.

Exploding treacle
by Graham Best (7928)

12 Hortham Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol BS12 4JH.

Some time ago there were reports of tins of black treacle exploding
violently on grocers' shelves. Sugar acts as preservative because the
osmotic pressure prevents moulds, yeasts and bacteria from growing.
As the temperature fluctuated in the shops so some of the treacle
evaporated and condensed back as a weak sugar solution capable of
supporting growth of yeasts leading to fermentation and a gas build-up.
There are obvious risks to anyone storing their “sugar” in glass jars in a
store cupboard and apart from the danger the contents of a store
cupboard covered in black treacle is hardly likely to be conducive to
domestic harmony.

AES ANNUAL EXHIBITION
Saturday 5th October 1996
at Kempton Park Racecourse.
FREE ENTRY FOR MEMBERS.

|
i]

|] Volume 55 * June 1996 133

Nervous butterflies in north-eastern USA

by Matthew Rowlings (9108)
87 School Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 SDL.

I spent two weeks in the north-eastern United States in early August
1995. I had two objectives on visiting the USA — the primary one was to
meet family and friends and the secondary one was to enjoy the local
insect wildlife. My main comment concerns the abundance of butterflies
and first impressions of butterfly life in the New England and New
Jersey areas of the north-east USA — not, I now appreciate, noted for its
butterflies.

The entire area is apparently naturally forested with salty marshes
near the coast and bogland interspersed throughout. Open meadows
(i.e. of the non-mown variety) to suit butterflies are extremely hard to
find. The only one I found of any note, or size (at perhaps 30 acres)
was within 15 miles of the city centre of Boston at the Blue Hills State
Park — the only State Park I happened upon that showed any outward
awareness of insects and their ecological requirements.

The butterflies I encountered throughout the region were hard to find
and, in general, very hard to net. I had had plenty of practice with the
net earlier in the year, in the UK and Europe, so my netting technique
was well polished. Despite this Ihad very serious trouble catching
many of the butterflies I found.

Particular examples include the capture of the American painted lady
(Cynthia virginiensis) which took extreme measures in the 300-acre
meadow I described above. Dropping my body below the four-foot
vegetation I had to stalk the feeding butterfly incredibly slowly, keeping
my head and net low and inching towards the host flower head. Then I
had to snap my net upwards with all the speed I could muster, being
particularly careful to avoid the flower stem before hitting the flower
head. Even with these precautions it took me five attempts and the
regrettable destruction of several flowers to capture one of these lovely
insects and confirm its suspected identification. Another group I had
surprising trouble with were the Pearl crescents (family Nymphalidae,
genus Phyciodes). Although more easily caught than the lady, the
slowish low-flying butterflies (somewhat like the European fritillaries)
always reacted with such unexpected speed and manoeuvrabilty that I
never really learnt to catch them “at will’. This deceptive ability was
evident in most species but notably the other Nymphalids such as the
Buckeye (Junonia coenia), and Hop merchant (Polygonia comma) and
the hairstreaks (especially the Red-banded hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)
— fairly common in central and southern New Jersey). My notes record

134 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3é

that a settled Hop merchant could not be approached to within six feet!
(The only one I caught took me a full 45 minutes of stalking it up and
down the shady ride it was patrolling.) Even the larger Papilionids were
very swift off the starting blocks and rarely slowed down once on the
wing. |

By my last day in the States I had evidently begun to learn my lesson
that the non-aggressive approach to butterfly capture usually led to
failure and disappointment. Four hours before my flight home from
Boston I was reluctantly leaving the 300-acre meadow for the second
time when something landed on the other side of an exposed sapling.
My interest was inexplicably alerted and rather than edge my way
around the bush to locate the butterfly I knew I had to strike fast and
with the minimum of warning. I assessed the best angle to strike the
bush from behind and committed myself to an all-or-nothing attack.
Luckily I was successful this time, but I believe my odds of success had
been significantly increased by not taking my time. The Gray hairstreak
(Strymon melinus) | caught was the only one I saw so I was. pleased-as-
punch by this last skirmish with the North American lepidoptera.

There were exceptions to this widespread sensitivity. The skippers
(which I used to think were hard to catch!) had behaviour similar to the
European skippers and were relatively easy to net, an exception being
the fiercely territorial Zabulon skipper (Poanes zabulon) that would
fearlessly attack any intruder, including me, before invariably returning
to its chosen lookout spot. This habit inevitably led to the handsome
insect's ultimate capture and identification.

Most of the species common with Europe were also relatively easy to
catch. These include the Cabbage butterfly (Pieris rapae = Small white),
Little copper (Lycaena phlaeas = Small copper), Spring azure
(Celastrina argiolus = Holly blue), Silver-bordered fritillary (Soloria
selene = Small-pearl bordered fritillary), Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia =
Large heath) and others. One or two of the non-European species were
naturally slow fliers and could be caught easily, but if the first strike
should miss they would instantly disappear. The widespread Least
skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor) is a master at this!

The overall scarcity of butterflies and the alertness of those I found
prompted me to believe their environment may not be as amicable to
them as less extensively forested Europe. It may be shortage of habitat
Or pressures from daytime predators, perhaps birds or the numerous
dragonflies. Anyway, I learnt to approach every butterfly with a degree
of stealth that I have never before had to do.

| Volume 55 * June 1996 135

Some observations on breeding Moon moths
(Lepidoptera: Attacidae). Part 1

by Michel Lamour

Les Vallées, Rue de Grands Terrages, 85100 Le Chateau d'Olonne, France.

Moon moths are moths which comprise the genera Actias, Argema and
Graellsia. With the exception of Graellsia isabellae and Actias luna,
they all inhabit tropical or equatorial countries.

In this article I should like to give an account of some of the
particularities noted when breeding Moon moths. I shall be most
grateful if any breeder will get in touch with me if his findings differ
from mine, or otherwise publish them, to assist other amateurs and
extend our knowledge of the habitats of these moths.

Genus Actias

I have had experience on breeding the following species: A. selene, A.
sinensis and A. luna, either on isolated occasions or for several years,
as and when eggs have been available.

Actias selene

Over four years I have bred several hundred A. selene. It seems to
thrive best on weeping willow (Salix babylonica) especially during the
first three instars.

Indeed, when eggs were deposited on other species of willow (S.
matsudana (species of willow from northern China, Manchuria and
Korea), S. alba, S. viminalis, S. caprea) the larvae refused to feed and
starved to death.

This is also the case where other foodplants of this species are
concerned (Malus, Pyrus, Prunus, etc), however, this possibly depends
on the stocks which I was able to obtain.

On the other hand, the larval foodplant can easily be changed,
without any apparent ill-effects, as from the third instar and even the
second. During the winter, I have even satisfactorily transferred the
larvae from Prunus laurocerasus (cherry laurel) to Quercus ilex, due to
lack of food. However, as I was breeding indoors, a few larvae were
attacked by disease, but apparently this was not caused by the change
in foodplant.

136 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society es

Pairing and egg-laying appear to be straightforward, provided several
pairs are placed in a square cage, each side measuring 50cms. After
inbreeding for a maximum of three broods, moths become weakened,
show signs of degeneration and are somewhat reluctant to pair. This
occurrence is most certainly of a genetic nature. I have obtained very
satisfactory results when breeding a second brood outdoors, late in the
season (October-November) direct on trees in full growth, even at
temperatures down to 5°C. On the other hand, I have never been able
to achieve satisfactory results when breeding indoors using cut
branches standing in water. This is probably because Salix babylonica
does not keep well under these conditions. An attempt has probably
been made using other plants, such as Rhododendron. I would be
happy to know the results.

I would also be happy to know whether this easily-bred species has
been bred on artificial food, together with the results and the
ingredients of the artificial food if it does exist.

Contrary to a widely-held view, spun-up pupae of Actias selene often
enter diapause. After having started breeding in May, the second brood
was bred in August-September; the pupae entered diapause normally in
a dark cellar at a temperature of 12-13°C, and the cocoons were lightly
sprinkled with cold water every month.

The following year the cocoons were transferred to enclosed
premises and kept under humid conditions and the temperature of
22°C; diapause was broken in April-May. Perfectly formed imagines
emerged eight to ten days later. All the imagines resulting from larvae
bred on weeping willow were of the usual size — males measured 120-
130mm and females 150-160mm, with a difference of under 10% in
several cases.

Several dozen larvae can easily be kept together in the sleeves; the
only problem is that the larvae consume a very large amount of food.
The sleeves must therefore be transferred to fresh branches every other
day, without removing the larvae from their support. Were this to be
done, they would be torn in the process, such is the force with which
they cling to the foodplant. The twig to which the larva is attached
must be cut, using secateurs, the sleeve is transferred onto a leafy
branch, and the twigs to which the larvae are clinging-are then dropped
into the sleeve. They will easily make their way of their own accord
onto the fresh foliage.

Great care must be taken to protect the larvae from being attacked by
tits and wasps (this must be done whenever breeding outdoors and I

—

t <4 Volume 55 * June 1996 127

have suffered the consequences with Argema mittrei). Often a double
sleeve is required to prevent predators from seeing the larvae. I have
never experienced any attacks by mycosis, virus or bacterial diseases
when breeding this species outdoors. On the other hand, whenever
breeding indoors, the larvae have been attacked by various diseases.

Actias sinensis

Unlike A. selene where there is little sexual dimorphism, males and
females of A. sinensis seem to belong to different species.

The male resembles a small-scale Argema mittrei, on account of its
coloration, while having the shape of a small Actias selene. However,
the female is pale blue and its shape very much resembles that of A.
selene. Both males and females are smaller than A. selene: males
measure 90-100mm and females 100-110mm.

Although I have only one year's breeding experience with this
species, I reared several hundreds. In the spring of 1984 I received
about twenty eggs from a friend of mine. He told me this species could
very easily be bred on liquidambar. [Liquidambar or American sweet
gum (Liquidambar styracifluda) is a tree which comes from the east of
the United States, belonging to the family Hamamelidaceae.] I very
easily reared the first brood. In July, I then had one male and five
females. I put them all together in a cage, which was placed outside
about 10pm (22.00hrs). The weather was very mild with a light wind.
The following morning the moths were considerably damaged.

I placed the females in a cardboard box for them to lay. I collected
about one thousand eggs, and thought that many would be infertile,
considering the excess number of females in relation to the single male.
As a matter of fact, the male had paired with all of the five females and
all the eggs hatched. These were split up and placed on about ten
liquidambars; as a result my trees were completely stripped when the
larvae reached their third instar. I collected all the larvae with the help
of my daughter and a friend of hers (the jumbled mixture of larvae in
the polystyrene box weighed about 1kg). I then went to a nurseryman
friend of mine who had some very fine liquidambar. He was at first
amazed, but after some discussion, he allowed me to install my sleeves
on his trees.

I installed three or four large sleeves on the liquidambars and then
introduced all the larvae into the sleeves. Ten minutes later the larvae
were dispersed among the foliage. Had it not been for the tits and the

138 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3

wasps, I would have had at least 800 moths. In actual fact, by October I
only managed to obtain half that amount, due to heavy losses caused
by predators (holes in sleeves, sleeves pecked to remove pupae from
cocoons).

In spite of all my attempts I have never succeeded in getting Actias
sinensis to enter diapause, using a cellar, refrigerator, light and
darkness. Indeed, this species appears to be so hardy that.I have had
perfect specimens emerge in the refrigerator at 4°C. The larvae, too,
seem to thrive outdoors, despite temperatures close to freezing.
However, the fact that I bred just one stock must be borne in mind
when evaluating the above findings.

I tried to rear larvae on several occasions on various Eucalyptus,
willows, walnut and different species of Prunus, however, Actias
sinensis seems strictly monophagous in these parts and only accepts
liquidambar at all larval instars.

The cocoon is very different from that of Actias selene and resembles
those from the genus Argema.

The first-instar larvae very much resembles that of Actias selene but is
similar to that of A. /una in later instars.

It should be noted that the males of Actias sinensis are very restless
and very fast, just like those of A. selene. For this reason, skill is needed
to catch them without causing any damage.

A. sinensis is even easier to breed than A. selene, however, it is
absolutely essential to have some liquidambars, but unfortunately these
are very expensive.

As A. sinensis can withstand poor weather conditions, I have never
tried to breed it indoors.

As with A. selene, and despite the large number of larvae, there were
no cases of disease when breeding this species.

Actias luna
Here again, I bred several hundred larvae.

I noticed there were two forms of this species. The first form is of
reduced size, males measuring 80mm and females 100mm, the wings
are thin, semi-transparent and deep greenish-yellow in colour. The

L 4 Volume 55 * June 1996 139

second form is larger: males measure 120mm and females 130mm; the
wings are thick, opaque and light-green in colour.

According to information Ihave been able to gather regarding the
origin of the eggs received, it would appear that the first form is the
type occurring in northern USA, while the second is that which occurs
in the south. However, this may not be the general rule. As I did not
receive both forms at the same time, I was unfortunately unable to
Carry Out any cross-pairings.

According to Gardiner, the larvae of this species will feed on a wide
range of trees: birch, chestnut, aspen, various species of Juglandaceae
(walnut), willows, efc.

Personally, I have only bred it on liquidambar, without any
trouble; this foodplant is not mentioned by Gardiner, The imagines
were of the usual size, in accordance with the forms mentioned
above.

Actias luna seems to be less vigorous than the two species
mentioned above, but it is not so easy to secure pairings. This could
possibly depend upon the stocks which I bred. The cocoon is more
fragile than that of Actias selene and quite different from that of A.
sinensis. Pupation often occurs at the base of the sleeve and this can be
a drawback, due to attacks by predators.

On the other hand, the success rate was similar to that achieved
when breeding the species mentioned above.

Considering its distribution, I believe A. Juna could be introduced
into Europe, at least with stocks from east-central USA. It may be worth
while carrying out such an experiment, as it appears that this species is
under threat in its original habitat. This risk would then be reduced, by
artificially extending its geographical range. Besides, it is not a potential
pest to agriculture or forestry, on account of its rate of reproduction.
We do not have many beautiful butterflies and moths in this country,
especially among the moths, and it would be interesting to see whether
A. luna can thrive in France.

The experiment was a success with Samia cynthia, and yet this was

_ completely unintentional!

However, before trying out the experiment, it is obvious that far-
reaching ecological research would have to be carried out and this

could only be done with the authorisation of the (French) Ministry for

140 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3

Hybridisation between Actias luna and A. sinensis.

The following observations are made for what they are worth. One day
I received about fifty eggs which very much resembled those of Actias
sinensis; they had been sent by a friend of mine with a note stating
“Hybrid A. luna x A. sinensis, to be reared on liquidambar.” I deposited
them on some liquidambar. They hatched a few days later during the
month of June.

During their first instar, the larvae were no different from those of A.
luna. During the following instars, they became paler. I obtained
cocoons typical of A. Juna, which are quite different from those of A.
sinensis. The imagines very much resembled A. /Juna, however, the tails
were twisted just like the females of A. sinensis, and they were of a
very pale-bluish colour, instead of rich green, as in A. /una. These
imagines comprised both sexes. It was easy to secure pairings,
however, the eggs were infertile. Were these hybrids or not? I was
unable to supply an answer, and an amateur is unable to carry out
cytological and chromosomic analyses. I sent half the cocoons to my
supplier so that I could have his opinion. He telephoned and told me
they probably were not hybrids. The breeding stock could have been
the source of the infertility and yet it seemed to be very healthy.
Unfortunately I have not bred any other species of Actias, particularly
A. maenas and A. truncatipennis. 1 am impatient to do so, but it is far
from easy to get eggs of these species.

The genera Argema and Graellsia will be dealt with in the next issue.

Samia cynthia Drury 1773, is native to India, Malaysia, China, Japan,
Indochina, the Philippines and most parts of Indonesia. It was
introduced into Italy in 1856 and in 1857 into France by Guérin-
Ménéville so that it could be bred on account of its silk. The silk is
strong, but coarser than that produced by the silkworm. After breeding
had been abandoned P. cynthia managed to survive in urban districts
where its Chinese foodplant Ailanthus glandulosa had been planted.
Under these conditions the larva manages to escape from its predators.

(See also R. Coutin (1978). Bull. Soc. Vers. Sc. Nat. 5(3): 78-80.)

Note: According to present legislation in force in most countries,
extensive scientific research must first be carried out before any new
species is introduced, showing the benefits which can accrue from
these introductions, and that they will not harm local ecosystems. Such
a proposal with regard to Actias luna in Europe would obviously meet
with strong opposition from scientists and the authorities; the protection

6h Volume 55 « June 1996 141

of a species in a certain region is not solved by introducing it into an
ecosystem which does not suit it, and where it has litthe chance of
finding a niche, to the prejudice of local species which already occupy
that niche.

[Translated from Insectes, no. 85: 17-19 (1992) and reproduced with
permission from the author and OPIE.]

Admiral blown off course

by Leigh Plester (2968)

BioFilm Ltd, Ylad-Muuratjdrvi, FIN-41800, Finland.

I was pleased to see Mike Pennington's article
on Red admirals in the Shetlands, as I have
been wondering how commonly the
species is encountered there. From 10th
to 15th July 1995 I was in the Lerwick
area (Mainland), having been press-
ganged there to do some filming with
my colleague Nick Marsh (nobody
else wanted to go ... . too wet and
cold and -soron -.....). Ihe sun shone
brightly every single day.

On 14th July, having purchased
some sandwich “makings” and cans of cider, we
parked at the edge of a low cliff overlooking the sea,
with a brisk wind blowing. In front of us there was a
fat clump of nettles threshing wildly about on the cliff face and round
this a determined Red admiral spent several minutes trying, as far as |
could see, to lay eggs on the leaves. It was continually beaten back by

the wind but doggedly returned several times. Judging by the time

spent more or less inside the clump it seems likely that the butterfly
actually succeeded in laying an egg or two. You may be the sort of
person to have waded in regardless with hand lens and forceps — well,
some people squat on ant hills stark naked and they too have my
blessing: I sat in the car guzzling my cider.

Incidentally, we were continually told by the local inhabitants that in
no circumstances were we to show the film on television. Six days of
solid sunshine was felt to create the wrong impression of the climate
and the Shetlanders place great weight on integrity!

142 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae

Reduvius personatus
by Keith C. Lewis (3680)

108 Park View Road, Welling Kent DA16 1Sj.

With regard to the notes by Maxwell Barclay, Bulletin Vol. 55 page 45
“Bug unmasked”, I have found this bug Reduvius personatus not
uncommon where I live.

During the past twelve years I have found eight specimens (only two
taken on 14th June 1984 and 10th May 1986). All were found in the
same place on curtains in the bathroom facing downwards as observed
by Mr Barclay.

I also found one dead specimen together with a dead Longhorn
beetle, Rbagium mordax (De Geer). Both were enclosed in a silk-like
shroud of mould and were found at least four inches deep inside a
larval gallery of a silver birch log, Chalk Wood, 2nd March 1994.

It was not until I cleaned the two specimens that I then found one to
be R. personatus. One other interesting find was a single mandible
which was lodged between the eyes of the beetle. The mandible was
sent to Mr A.A. Allen who kindly informed me that it was probably
from the beetle Abax parallelepipedus (Villers).

After cleaning, both insects were found to be in quite good condition
and were subsequently set side by side as found.

Addition to correspondence on Swallowtail foodplants
by Leigh Plester (2968)

BioFilm Ltd, Yla-Muuratjdrvi, FIN-41800, Finland.

May I add to Brian Gardiner's note on the foodplants of Swallowtail
larvae that the subspecies inhabiting Fennoscandia (Finland, Norway,
Sweden) is generally given as P. machaon machaon. This was
presumably the form first described by Linnaeus who was, of course, a
Swede. Some of Brian's comments on P. m. gorganus are obviously
intended to include this northern subspecies.

Help wanted!
One of the Defence Estate Organisation's sites in Berkshire is being
surveyed in the near future for its entomological fauna. Any interested
volunteers should contact Keri Tucker at the DEO 0n°0181-391 3202.

Published 20th June 1996 by the Amateur Entomologists' Society
(Registered Charity No. 207430), from PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG.

BIRTHDAY PRESENT PROBLEMS?
Why not give a years subscription to
Country-side and membership of the

BRITISH NATURALISTS’
ASSOCIATION

Hon. President: LORD SKELMERSDALE
Hon. President of the Youth Section: DAVID
BELLAMY BSc., PhD, FLS FIBiol.
The BNA is a national body for naturalists and offers:-
e Field Activities for everyone
Lectures
Branch programmes throughout the country
Journal COUNTRY-SIDE
Field trips in the UK and abroad
Natural history publications endorsed by the BNA
at reduced prices for members
Insurance cover on branch and national activities
Blake Shield annual competition for young people

Free Pack of WILDLIFE Notelets for every
new subscription
If you are interested in WILDLIFE, NATURAL HISTORY,
CONSERVATION —- Send your subscription with the
coupon on the right to:
BNA, 48 Russel! Way, Higham Ferrers,
Northants NN9 8EJ

Credit Card No. Expiry Date

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Ordinary members
(or if entitled to a state Retirement Pension .. £10.00 p.a.)

Youth members

Family members

(In which there is at least 1 ordinary member . . . £3.00 p.a.
(per family)

AFFILIATED BODIES - Particularly suitable

for School Natural History Societies and

Biology Departments
(small addition for Branch Membership)

ENTOMOLOGIST’S GAZETTE

A Quarterly Journal of Palaearctic Entomology.

Illustrated and covering all groups of Insects.

Includes Book Reviews on a World-wide basis.

Current Annual Subscription £20 (US$45.00)

A sample copy can be sent on request from the publishers:

GEM PUBLISHING CO.

Brightwood, Bell Lane, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell,

Wallingford, Oxon OX10 OQD.

A NEW REPRINT FROM THE
AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY .

PRACTICAL HINTS FOR THE FIELD LEPIDOPTERIST by J.W.Tutt

Written in three parts at the turn of the century, this book has been reprinted
because it still represents the most comprehensive field guide covering both
macro and microlepidoptera. Parts I to III all give a month by month guide to
which species and stages to look for and how to find them. Part II also,contains
an extensive biological account of the early stages and how to keep, rear and
describe them. 422 pages, Hardback. (Reprinted 1994). A separate supplement
has been prepared which cross-references old to current scientific names and the
English names of the species covered. Total price only £21.00.

OTHER TITLES AVAILABLE FROM THE A.E.S. INCLUDE

Habitat Conservation for Insects - A Neglected Green Issue

(Hardback 262 pages, 15 figures+ 32 pages colour plates). . . . . .£12.00
A Lepidopterists Handbook (136 pages, 32 figs, 13 plates)

Breeding the British Butterflies (60 pages, 6 figures, 5 plates)

Breeding the British and European Hawkmoths (56 pages)

Practical Hints for Collecting and Studying

Microlepidoptera (40 pages, 11 figures)

An Amateurs Guide to the Study of the Gentalia of Te pidonen ( {6p0y"

A Silkmoth Rearers Handbook (Hardback, 225pp + 32 colour

plates showing 74 photographs of larvae and adult moths)

Killing, Setting and Storing Butterflies and Moths (19 pages)

The Study of Stoneflies, Mayflies and Caddis Flies (44 pp, 10 figs.)

Collecting and Studying Dragonflies (24 pages, 12 figs, 2 plates)

The Hymenopterists Handbook (226 pages, illustrated).

Revised Flight Tables for the Hymenoptera (24 pages) . :

A Coleopterists Handbook (Hardback, 300 pages, illustrated) . . . . £15.50
Host/plants of British Beetles, @4 pases). su). “lassi shee eee
A Dipterists Handbook (260 pages, illustrated) . . . . 5p £950
Rearing and Studying Stick and Leaf-Insects (73 pp. 43 figs. 7 alice), . £5.00
Rearing and Studying the Praying Mantids (22 pages, 9 plates) . . . . £2.85
Rearing Crickets.in the:-Classroom (12 pages; 2 plates)”. - 2-5 232-280

Please make all cheques/postal orders payable to 'AES Publications’ and send to:
AES Publications, The Hawthorns, Frating Road, Great Bromley,
COLCHESTER CO7 7JN. Telephone 01206 251600

THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY
ANNUAL EXHIBITION, 1996

Saturday, 5th October
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE,
STAINES ROAD, SUNBURY, MIDDX.

ACCESSIBILITY: The Racecourse is easy to reach by road and rail, and
there is adequate free car parking. The M25 is very near and is linked
to Kempton Park by the M3, which is less than a mile away. Sunbury
Railway Station with trains from Waterloo, is a short walk away. The
site is served by two bus routes, Green Line No. 290, and Red bus No.
216. Both these buses stop right outside.

ADMISSION: Members free on production of pass to be issued with
the August Bulletin. Non-members £1.00, under 16s 50p.

PARKING: in the free car parks only NOT outside the Grandstand.
Keep all entrances clear.

EXHIBITORS AND DEALERS ONLY will be admitted between 8 am
and 11 am.

TROLLEYS are not provided and provision should be made for heavy
loads.

ENTOMOLOGICAL DEALERS are attending.

REFRESHMENTS: Full facilities are available. All food and drink to be
consumed in the Refreshment Area.

SURPLUS MATERIAL: will be welcome for sale on behalf of the
Society's funds.

ANSORGE BEQUEST: Cash prizes and certificates to Junior Members
for exhibits at the Exhibition.

LIVESTOCK: It is the duty of both dealers and buyers to ensure that all!
livestock is kept in containers which are roomy, hygienic and secure
against any possible escape.

EXHIBITS which show long series of wild-caught, rare or endangered
species will not be allowed.

ALL ENQUIRIES:
The AES, PO Box 8774, London SW7 52ZG.

Bulletin

of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society

CONTENTS

R. Sutton. Little Breach Butterfly Reserve. 1974-96) -...-.2.....-+.0ceesecccssetcerndeeeetenee--te- 105
M. Rowlings. My first holiday abroad. ..00.....0....3 1 secs.ececeicceocseaccteenet eases Tee ed cade 129
M. Rowlings. Nervous butterflies in north-eastern USA. ........ vas borane oie a tere eee ee 133
M. Lamour. Some observations on breeding Moon moths (Lepidoptera: Attacidae).

PAGE Do cscs noeotve sae seqacesoieseessnestn-asnchuncusensssvaceeess socedtcosnoirs dare ssUsceues 2. ae ceeeeres ate eens 135
Short Communications
J. Koryszko. An uncommon moth at Park Hall Country Park, Staffordshire. .............. 121
F. Seow-Choen. Eggs found in a gynandromorph of the Malayan jungle nymph,

Fleteropteryx dilatata (Phasimida). <.2...2¢.5.5).. ee. ieee ere 22
B. Gardiner. Some notes on butterflies in Cambridge during 1995. ............:eeee 123
J. Maddocks. Help wanted in Kent. ....... Hod coderececasGeuencéesseess taeda cule, deseetee cse aemmee eee 124
M. Rowlings. Turkey and butterfly identification. ..............ceeeesseeeseceeeceecenecenseeeneeenees 124
B; Page. Hawkmoth lapvaeion binchy 22.082... o<.0-c-1- 0c). cote eee 128
G. King. Etymology not entomology. 220/002 .cc8 secs scee ese 131
G. Best. Exploding treacle. 0c). e.). ce eee cn cote ace ee ec occosne es ee 132
L. Plester. Admiral: blOWnm Off COUNSE. <<. .j2:c0s2ecd:c.201-cdece: ete sc ceeekec asset cern: eee 141
K. LEWIS REGUVIUS PETSONACUS.\ o.0. fects ite ne aoccetaneteyonetdeneqee | oath 142
L. Plester. Addition to correspondence on Swallowtail foodplants. ................::e0ee 142
Help: Wanted. ...sicosiies ctl Si lo ctes tant cecpeay seth sGeecksacvaceceeshc cate oes Meee eens eee ae 142
Book Reviews — New British Beetles not in Joy's practical handbook. ................0:00++ 125

Microlepidoptera of Europe. Volume 1: Pterophoridae. .........4..+.+++ 126

Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. Ltd., 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA.

August 1996

N
oe)
NG
See
Ov
Jo)
E
=)
ZL:
@
Ln
To
Ov
=
=
e
>

itech eeeaeenmmeeiiac eller hie ae =

=
aa
=

Founded in 1935

Where to write
For all Society business, please write to:

AES
PO. Box 8774
London SW7 5ZG

Officers of the Society
President: — Richard Jones
Secretary: Wayne Jarvis
Treasurer: Andrew Locke
Registrar: Nick Holford
Bulletin Editor: | Wayne Jarvis
General Editor: | Mike Bonsall
Adi ertising Secretary: Rob Dyke
Exhibitions & Meetings Secretary: | Maxwell Barclay
Youth Secretary: Darren Mann
ICN Editor: David Lonsdale
Wants & Exchange: Caroline Willmot

Habitat Conservation Officer: Martin Harvey

Subscriptions: _ First subscription (including entrance fee) £12, or £8 under
18. Renewals £10 or £6 under 18. Overseas members £12.
Subcription due by the 1st January each year.

Advertising Rate: — The following charges apply to adverts in the body of the
Bulletin. Full page £60, Half page £40, Quarter page £25.
Insert charges available on request to Advertising Secretary,
address as above.

NOTICE

It is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or theonies, expressed in the pages of this Journal are solely

€ a
those of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, financial grants offered or sought, requests fo
g g
" " —— - j Hr ithe } Pe | tho Ofirerc anr ~ st tho - nar ic choo ~s5
information, are accepted as bona tide. Neither the Editor, the Officers anc Counai of the Sodety or its ustees, Ca

be held responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that might be sustained by reliance thereon.

Worldwide Butterflies

Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 4QN. Tel 01935 74608 Fax 29937

Colour

Catalogue
of livestock
specimens and
equipment.

Please mention
AES.
50p in stamps
would be greatly
appreciated.

ALSO

on request,
Specialist
Catalogues of
British, European
and Exotic
set and papered
specimens

Visi

\ A\\\
ZAD

At Compton House, Nr. Sherborne, Worldlife
has evolved from Worldwide Butterflies.
As well as magnificent butterfly displays,
conservation organisations are showing what
is being done for the environment, and
how all can become involved.

Situated on A30 Yeovil-Sherborne Road.
Open daily Apr-Sep. Tel 01935 74608

FEW. CLASSE Y tam

ENTOMOLOGICAL BOOKS BY MAIL SINCE 1949

Antiquarian, second-hand and New books
Special offers and forthcoming book news
Booksearch service. Please send your “wants” list
Regular free catalogues and specialist lists

Books bought

Valuations

Oxford House,

Marlborough Street,
Faringdon, -

Oxon SN7 7DR UK

Tel. 01367 244700 — Fax. 01367 244800

Our Faringdon shop has a large stock of Entomological & Natural History books and prints

Since 1976 . . serving lepidopterists worldwide

TRANSWORLD BEE
BUTTERFLY CO. RESEARCH

ILLUSTRATED BUTTERFLY CATALOGUE ASSOCIATION

Hundreds of butterflies from South America,

Africa, Australia and the Far East. Many of our 18 NORTH ROAD

specimens are ex-pupae or ranched. Specialists
in Papilionidae, Morphidae and Brassolidae. CARDIFF
CF1 3DY

Our catalogue includes many hard-to-find species
like female Morpho rhetenor, female Moroho

adonis, female Morpho anaxibia, female Moropho : Sy eee .
vitrea, female Morpho insuralis, female Moroho For Scientific and Technical

godarti, Morpho titei, female Papilio scamander, information on Bees (Apoidea)

Papilio antimachus, female Papilio plagiatus and > ; :
fares Pablio hesesnis especially Honeybees (ApisSP).

Request our free Catalogue today!
Please write to the above address for

TRANSWORLD BUTTERFLY COMPANY details of publications and membership.
APARTADO 6951 — SAN JOSE A specimen copy of “Bee World” is
COSTA RICA obtainable for S5Op.

TEL: 506-228-4768 FAX: 506-228-1573

ee.

——ES

Don’t despair!

Let Cravitz take the heat
out of the situation.

PRINTING
COMPANY LIMITED

S—

—SS

——

———SS

——= <2

——S
\

1 Tower Hill,
Brentwood,
Essex CM14 4TA.
Tel: (01277) 224610
Fax: (01277) 262815

ARE YOU MISSING OUT?
THE
ENTOMOLOGIST'S
RECORD

and Journal of Variation

_ The Editor, 14 West Road, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2QP.

Write now! You never know what you could be missing.

The Entomologist's Record is an independent, non profit making journal.
To ensure high standards of production we use Cravitz Printing Company.

EXHIBITION NOTICE

AES ANNUAL EXHIBITION

SATURDAY, 5TH OCTOBER 1996

KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE
Staines Road, Sunbury, Middlesex

Doors open at llam ¢ Admission £1.00

Members free on production of pass to be issued with
this Bulletin.

For further information please write to:
The AES, PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG.

The cover of this issue of the

Bu i Hl etin ee Bulletin features the

of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society Woodland grasshopper

(Omocestus rufipes).

Photo: Nick Holford

oS ters.

ulletin

L the Amateur Entomologists’ Society

Volume 55 * Number 407 August 1996

Unusual/Rare species seen in South Oxfordshire
by Chris Raper (7540)
22 Beech Road, Purley-on-Thames, Reading, Berkshire RG8 8DS.

The following species were seen on Hartslock SSSI, a nature reserve
owned by the local Wildlife Trust, BBONT. The nature reserve is an 11
acre, south facing, unimproved chalk downland slope surrounded by
dense scrub hedge and yew, beech and ash woodland. The hill
overlooks the Thames near Goring and the Thames towpath runs along
one of the boundaries.

The site is primarily noted for its plant-life but, as a volunteer
warden, I run regular moth traps throughout the spring/summer and
collate sightings for the other insect orders to maintain species lists that
enable us to plan management work.

The following species have either “Notable B” or Red Data Book
status (as defined by the JNCC). This list comprises species seen in 1995
and does not include species seen in previous years. The listed date to
the side of each species is not necessarily the only date the species was
seen as some species are very common at Hartslock. Where possible I
have given the status of each species.

30.4.95 Agrotis cinerea (Light feathered rustic) — This species is
common on Hartslock and is seen every year. It is usually very
variable in colour — often ranging from pale straw through to
dark brown with black markings. Status: Notable B.

10.6.95. Gomphus vulgatisimus (Club-tailed dragonfly) — This species
was seen again this year flying over the reserve. Every year |
find about the same amount of shed skin-cases on the foliage
near the Thames tow-path. The adults use Hartslock as a
hunting area and they can often be seen sunning themselves
on the hedges. Status: Notable B. (Plate 96M, Figure 1)

10.7-95

10.7.95

Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society |]

Fannia nidica (Muscid fly) — Caught by Adrian Pont in the
lane that runs to the reserve. Larval stage lives in bird's nest.
Status: Provisional RDB3.

Apamea sublustris (Reddish light arches) — This is another
common species on Hartslock and is seen every year in
varying numbers and often outnumbers the Light.arches. This
year was a particularly good year. Status: Notable B.

Scotopteryx bipunctata (Chalk carpet) — This delicate, grey
Geometrid moth is present every year in varying numbers. Its
favoured habitat is chalk grassland. Status: Notable B.

Odontius armiger — A small “Rhinoceros” beetle. Found in the
bottom of the m.v. trap after all the moths had been removed.
The species is very local and is restricted to chalk downland
habitats. It is thought to be closely associated with rabbit
burrows and underground fungi (truffles). This was also seen
for the first time at the Warburg reserve. Status: unknown
(possibly Nb).

Lampyris noctiluca (Glow-worm) — Males were caught
throughout the flight period in the m.v.trap, though we didn't
catch any more than one at any one time. Females were also
seen on slope one and in the lane outside the reserve. In one
sweep of the field 10-12 females were seen in the grass — at
least one of which was paired up. This species is seen every
year at Hartslock. Status: unknown (possibly Nb).

Callimorpha dominula (Scarlet tiger) — This species has been
found in quite large numbers nearby along the Pang and
Kennet rivers but it was new to this reserve in 1995. Single
examples were seen flying on slope four and along the tow-
path during daytime and twice at m.v. in the same week. The
species seems to fly for no more than ten days and doesn't
stray far from water. The larvae prefer Comfrey (which grows
in abundance along the Thames) but will take other
commoner plants. Status: Notable B.

Ephemera lineata (a large mayfly) — This species swarms in
large numbers near water and lives in very localised colonies.
During the week they were flying they were strongly attracted

fOw>

1037.95

LOWES
2 728.95

20.8.95

Volume 55 + August 1996 145

to the m.v. lights. The close proximity of the Thames explains
the species presence at Hartslock. Status: Provisional RDB2.

Gomphocerippus rufus (Rufous grasshopper) — This species is
a common grasshopper on Hartslock but is very localised in
the UK. It is easily identified by the clubs on its antennae. It
prefers warm, chalk downland slopes with patches of scrub.
Status: Notable B. (Plate 96M, Figure 2)

Eupithecia expallidata (Bleached pug) — Foodplant is the
flowers of “golden rod” (Solidago virgaurea). One specimen
came to Martin Harvey's light trap. Status: Notable B.

Mecyna flavalis — A small, yellow, semi day-flying Pyralid
mon Vitis 1S, a- very. fare species= It is restricted to chalk
downland and it is usually only found in the southern coastal
counties and Wiltshire and Norfolk. The species has been seen
two years running and it is hoped that we have a permanent,
breeding colony. With the help of our resident summer
warden I hope to do some monitoring of the moths to try to
find out more about its life-cycle. Status: Provisional RDB2.

Asilus crabroniformis (a large robber fly) — Britain's largest
fly. This is a great rarity that was last seen on the reserve
over five years ago. It is insectivorous and requires a high air
temperature to enable it to hunt. It is suspected that the
larval stage is parasitic on dung beetle larvae. I suspect that
the fly is usually present in low numbers in the area but
because the summer was so dry and hot it had a particularly
good year. It was also seen in a meadow in Cholsey in quite
large numbers (30+ per transect). Status: unknown. (Plate
9ON, Figures 3 & 4).

If anyone can help by visiting the reserve and recording species,
his/her sightings would be very gratefully received. We attempt to
record as many orders as possible but we must rely on the help of
specialists. If you would like any more information you can contact me
at the above address, my work email (triocomp@dial.pipex.com) or
though BBONT, the local wildlife trust.

146 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a

Exhibition Report for 1995
(Sth October)

The day started with the weather
looking as though it was going to
rain, but the forecast had said that
we should have clear periods and
that is indeed what we finished up
with. By around 10.30am_ the
promised better weather started to
appear and we actually had some
sunshine in patches. A good queue
formed prior to opening and Colin
Penney and Paul Sokoloff sold entry badges and programmes to ease
the rush when we opened the doors.

Around 1200 people paid to get in and with the dealers and
exhibitors we must have had about 1700 persons present; quite a good
showing. The Exhibition had 64 dealers doing business with six stands
occupied by other Natural History Societies and there were the usual
AES stands which included our own Conservation Section and
Publications.

I would like to thank the following people who helped me set-up on
the Friday night and assisted me in clearing up on Saturday evening.
Friday: David Young, Colin Hart, Roger Morris, Dennis O'Keeffe,
Graham Collins and John Muggleton. Saturday: David Lonsdale, David
Young, Graham Collins, Roger Morris, John Muggleton, Mike Simmons
and Andrew Halstead. I also thank the helpers who worked as entry
marshals, tending to our stalls and the various other jobs that help
make our Exhibition a success. I give a special thank you to Rob Dyke
who has taken on the job of Exhibits Co-ordinator for as many years as
I can remember; the Exhibition Organiser has no time to attend to
peripheral duties like this. As a final thought, our Exhibition would not
function without this valuable source of free help which is so willingly
given.

The number of exhibitors this year was abysmal, with only a possible
36 people either exhibiting or intending to exhibit. I had 23
applications with a report, nine gave a report but did not apply for
space and I had four applications that gave no report; a few of the one

ag Volume 55 + August 1996 147

who gave a report with no application did make arrangements with me
over the phone or by letter. I hope that the new organiser has a better
response than IJ have had over the years. I think the most exhibits that I
had one year was 50, but even this is not good when you consider that
there are around 1800 members in the Amateur Entomologists' Society.
Come on all you so-called members, where are you? It is time to
support your Society and present a members exhibit at your Exhibition.

Exhibitors at the 1995 Exhibition

Paul Brock (4792) — A selection of dead stick-insects (Phasmida), as
follows: four species of Timema from California, USA, along with a
small series of photographs showing the localities. These are the
smallest phasmids in the world, measuring from under 12mm.

A range of colourful winged species from Peninsular Malaysia,
belonging to the subfamily Necrosciinae: Calvisia clarissima
Redtenbacher, C. coerulescens Redtenbacher, Centrophasma spinosum
(Saussure), Diesbachia tamyris (Westwood), Marmessoidea cerycon
(Westwood), M. rosea (Fabricius), Necroscia marginata (Gray), N.
punctata (Gray), N. annulipes (Gray), N. roseipennis Audinet-Serville, N.
inflata (Redtenbacher), Orthonecroscia filum | (Westwood),
Phaenopharos struthioneus (Westwood), Tagesoidea nigrofasciata
Redtenbacher.

Gynandromorph specimens reared by members of the Phasmid Study
Group (rearers! names in brackets), Eurycantha sp. [Michael Lazenby
and Frances Holloway], Heteropteryx dilatata (Parkinson) [James
Penhall], Oreophoetes peruana (Saussure) [Gordon Ramel].

Steve Button (7647) — The application stated that aberrations of British
butterflies would be shown but there was no exhibit report.

Pat Cordell (8782) — Pyralidae taken at Nutfield, Surrey during 1995.
Species of note were:

Pyrausta cespitalis (D. & S.) — four walked up from the short dead grass
on the landfill site on 27th and 28th August. No first brood were noted
in May/June.

Dioryctria schuetzeella (Fuchs) — one to m.v. light on 10th July. Species
first noted in 1980 near Hamstreet, Kent, taken again in 1981, and also
at Playden, Sussex.

148 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a¢

All species taken at a garden m.v. light and in the surrounding
countryside at Nutfield and their relative abundance. Numbers and

dates are given where less than six were recorded:

Chrysoteuchia culmella (Linn.)
Crambus pascuella (Linn.)

C. lathoniellus (Zinck.)

C’. perlella (Scop.)

Agriphila selasella (Hiibn.)

A. straminella (D. & S.)

A. tristella (D. & S.)

A. latistria Haw.)

A. geniculea (Haw. )
Catoptria pinella (Linn.)

C. falsella (D. & S.)

Scoparia pyralella (D. & S.)

S. ambigualis (Treit.)

S. basistrigadlis (Knaggs)
Dipleurina lacustrata (Panz.)
Eudonia truncicolella (Staint.)
E. angustea (Curtis)

E. mercurella (Linn.)
Evergestis forficalis (Linn.)

E. pallidata (Hufn.)

Pyrausta aurata (Scop.)

P. purpuralis (Linn.)

P. cespitalis (D. & S.)

Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubn.)
Eurrhypara hortulata (Linn.)
Phlyctaenia coronata (Hufn.)
Opsibotys fuscalis (D. & S.)
Udea lutealis ubn.)

U. prunalis (D. & S.)

U. olivalis (D. & S.)

U. ferrugalis (Hubn.)
Nomophila noctuella (D. & S.)
Pleuroptya ruralis (Scop.)
Hypsopygia costalis (Fab.)
Orthopygia glaucinalis (Linn.)
Pyralis farinalis (Linn.)

Endotricha flammealis (D. & S.)

Galleria mellonella (Linn.)
Aphomia sociella (Linn.)
Phycita roborella (D. & S.)
Pempelia formosa (Haw.)

Abundant

Common

Abundant

Common

Abundant

Three on 14.8, 23.8, 24.8
Abundant

Common

Abundant

Common

Abundant

Common
Four on 23.8(2), 24.8, 26.8
Abundant

Common

Four, on 18.70923.7, 247-2677,
Common

Common

Four on 27.8(3), 28.8
Oneson, 2,7;

Common

Four onl 7:7,°9 7-year
One on 26.6

Five on 30.7,°2.8, 4.8; 8.8) 12:3
One on 16.7

Four 0n.26.6,°4.7. 5.7, 1017
Three on 17.8, 21.8, 24.8
Four on 25.8(2), 26.8, 27.8
Abundant

Common

One on 16.7

Common

Abundant

Dwovon 6:7, 3.7

a4 Volume 55 + August 1996 149
Dioryctria abietella (D. & S.) Four on 28.6(2), 19.7, 26.7
D. schuetzeella (Fuchs) OnesonelOy

Acrobasis consociella (Hubn.) Abundant

Numonia suavella (Zinck) Common

N. advenella (Zinck) Abundant

Myelois cribrella (Hubn.) Common

Euzophera pinguis (Haw.) Common

Phycitodes maritima (Teng.) One on 28.7

P. binaevella (Hubn.) Common

Ephestia elutella (Hubn. ) Two on 2.8, 15.8

Tony Davis (8931) — Display showing progress so far with the Pyralid
and Plume Recording Scheme.

Emma Day (10423) — The application stated that amateur photographs
of insects and Arachnids found in mid-Glamorgan dunes would be
shown but there was no exhibit report.

C.J. Gardiner — A small selection of moths from the East Midlands from
the 1995 season. The main records to note are Pine hawk Hyloicus
Dinas, weheveds to be the) first Leicestershire record, Coronet
Craniophora ligustri, the only Northamptonshire record since 1957, Buff
ermine Spilosoma luteum ab. intermedia.

Martin Gascoigne-Pees (7468) — Exhibited butterflies from the Greek
island of Samos which is situated in the northern Agean Sea, a few
kilometres from the Turkish coast; its surface area is 486 square
kilometres and it boasts some 65 species of butterfly, 48 of which were
recorded between 28th May to 11th June 1995. The only new species to
be recorded during his stay was Pieris krueperi, a fresh second
generation male. Species shown were:

T. sylvestris, T. hyrax, T. acteon, G. pumilio, P. thrax, E. marloyi, C.
alceae, C. orientalis, S. orbifer, Z. cerisyi, P. machaon, P. alexanor, I.
podalirius, L. sinapsis, C. croceus, G. cleopatra, A. crataegi, P. brassicae,
P. rapae, P. krueperi, E. ausonia, S. ledereri, L. phlaeas, S. pirithous, L.
boeticus, C. argiolus, K. eurypilus, A. agestis, P. thersites, P. icarus, L.
reducta, N. polychloros, V. atalanta, V. cardui, P. egea, A. pandora, M.
didyma, M. trivia, H. syriaca, H. mersina, H. aristaeus, P. anthelea, M.
telmessia, P. aegeria, L. megera, L. maeraand K. roxelana.

N.M. Hall — Showed three species of “Shark” Cucullia bred from larvae
found feeding together on hoary mullein, Verbascum pulverulentum in

150 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ad

Arlazan, Burgos, Spain. The species were C. lychnitis, C. verbasciand C.
reisseri. Further species exhibited which were bred from England were:
C. lychnitis, Striped lychnis from Buckinghamshire and C. rubiginea,
Dotted chestnut from Berkshire. Also shown were Portuguese fox
moths, Macrothylacia digramma; the last three species had notes for
breeding.

Andrew Halstead (6346) — Amber insects in the making — a piece of
Scots pine trunk from a tree hacked down by vandals earlier during the
summer about one metre above soil level. The tree produced copious
quantities of resin from the cut surfaces and this trapped a variety of
small flies, beetles, parasitic wasps and other insects. Under suitable
conditions, and the passage of a few million years, this resin will be
transformed into its fossilised form known as amber. Invertebrate
animals, such as insects, mites, spiders, millipedes and centipedes,
trapped within amber remain perfectly preserved, allowing
palaeoentomologists to record and describe long-extinct species.

Colin Hart (3845) — Exhibited a specimen of the Comma, Polygonia
c-album which was caught in his garden at Buckland, Surrey on 16th
July 1995, which approaches ab. suffusa Frohawk, and an almost
immaculate form of the Buff ermine, Spilosoma luteum which came to
light at Dawlish Warren, Devon in June 1995.

Industrial Nature Conservation Association. Displayed a words and
picture exhibit that showed a couple of projects being carried out by
this group. The first showed the results of a three-year monitoring
project that studied the colonisation of insects, mainly Coleoptera, of a
man-made Phragmites reedbed designed to treat chemical plant
effluents. The other was a proactive conservation project on a chemical
company site to create and manage dragonfly and damselfly habitat.
Over a number of years 12 species have been recorded with some of
them being regular visitors or breeders; it was hoped that this would be
appreciated as a very good total of species for a north-east locality of
this nature.

Alex Kolaj (9194) — Showed a two-part exhibit. The first part was
moths taken in western Ireland in May and included the Grey, A. caesia
typical and ab.; the Pod lover, H. perplexa, ssp. capsophila; Striped
twin-spot carpet, N. silicata and the netted pug, &. venosatad, ssp.
plumbea. These were all from Doolin, County Clare on a rare, still

a — ——
ESS —E——

oe Volume 55 + August 1996 151

night. Also shown in this section were specimens of the Irish annulet,
G. dumitata from the Burren. The second section of the exhibit showed
interesting moths taken in England. These included a migrant Oak
processionary moth, 7. processionea taken at Sea Palling, Norfolk along
with a Great brocade, E. occulta on 12.8.95, the first night of a family
holiday; Webb’s wainscot, A. sparganii and a Rush wainscot, A. algae
both reared from pupae found in reeds at Ansty, Sussex on 6.8.95;
Scarce forester, A. globlariae taken at m.v. light in Wiltshire on 1.7.95,
and an aberration of the Common wave, C. exanthemata taken at Sea
Palling, Norfolk.

Robin James (5005) — The application stated that British Macro-
lepidoptera would be shown but no exhibit report was handed in.

Neil Jones (8037) — Exhibited some photographs of Ecuadorian
Lepidoptera and cuttings from the British local and national press which
covered a story that has become known as the “Battle of the
Butterflies”. This was about the first obliteration of an SSSI in the UK at
Selar in the Neath Valley of South Wales.

David Keen (3309) — The exhibit consisted of two parts:

1. A series of workers of the wasp Dolichovespula media (Retzius)
taken in my Banbury, Oxon, garden in July 1995. They were captured
whilst seeking aphids on a Victoria plum tree. Worker Vespula vulgaris
was shown for comparison.

Ze oeesclection Or, mostly unnamed, insects collected in the
neighbourhood of a villa in Sesmarias, Algarve, Portugal in May 1995.
Photographs accompanied the exhibit to give an indication of the
location.

Of particular interest were a Striped hawk, Hyles lineata livornica
Esper; American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Linn.); ant-lions
(Myrmeleontidae); lacewings (Neuroptora) taken from a swimming pool;
bee-flies (Bombyliidae); velvet ant, Mutilla europaea Linn.; brightly
coloured ruby-tailed wasps (Chrysididae),; paper wasps, Polistes gallicus
Linn., various beetles including one covered in spines; longhorn beetles
(Cerambycidae) fished from a pool and brightly- coloured Buprestids.

Gareth King — Malacosoma castrensis L. 1758. In Britain this lasio-
campid is restricted to the Kent and Essex coasts, being regarded in the
UK as a RDB3 status rarity. Therefore, it was with some surprise that I

152 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36

came across larvae of this moth on the Devon coast in Seaton in June
1995. My record was left with David Bolton of Exeter Museum and Roy
McCormick, the Lepidoptera recorder for Devon.

I do have previous experience with the Ground lackey in Spain
where it is much more widely distributed. I found larvae in Orduna
(Vizcaya) in June 1990 at an elevation of about 800m, and on the Costa
de Luz in the extreme south-west of the country in Isla Canela, Huelva
in 1991. This genus is represented by five species in the afore-
mentioned country: M. neustria L., M. castrensis L., M. alpicola Staud.,
M. franconica Esp. and M. laurae Lajonquiere. The last-mentioned was
only recently discovered, being found in but one place, Isla de Bacuta
in the mouth of the river Tinto in Huelva.

Arctornis I-nigrum Muller 1764 (Lep.: Lymantriidae). The larvae
exhibited here are from eastern France, the moth being only rarely
recorded in the UK, the last British record being from 1960 (Skinner).
This particular brood, which has been in the larval stage since early
July, divided up into those in third instar which have gone into
hibernation, and the remainder which have continued to feed; four to
date have pupated but only over a period of several weeks. The larvae
exhibit a quite unique behavioural pattern, which is_ especially
pronounced when they have recently hatched; they have the capacity
to spring!

Hemithea aestivaria Hbn. 1779. The larvae shown here are the progeny
of a female captured in July in Eaton Wick, Berkshire. Although the
species is ostensibly single-brooded, three larvae have pupated this
year and produced imagines which are exhibited here. The moth is
thought by some authors to be double-brooded in northern Spain, as
moths are also seen on occasion in the first two weeks of September
(Gomez de Aizpurua).

Rhodometra sacraria L. 1767. This little moth is a known and regular
immigrant to Britain, but the adults here are from two females found in
Serantes, Asturias, northern Spain in August. This generation, the F.,
developed from ova to produce imagines in only 17 days, the larvae
pupating after a mere eight days, in a plant propagator at approx. 25 C.

Keith C. Lewis (3080) — The exhibit consisted of two parts:

1. Coleoptéres de France. Examples of French, Spanish and North
African Carabidae. From Urepel, Besses Pyrénées, Las Illas, Les Dourbes
Digne, Gizer, Foret de Detain, Besses Pyrenees Urt near Biarritz, Mont

a Volume 55 « August 1996 153

Arradoy, Mont Canigou Orientale Pyrenees Rousillon Province, Mount
Morond, Millau, Col de Lachau, Foret de Gesse, Caussols Col de Ferrier,
Chateau Pignon, Foret de Saou, France; St. Hilari Sacalen, Catalonia,
Spain; and Gabes, Tunisia, North Africa.

2. Watkins and Doncaster, a water-colour painting by Colin J. Ashford.
Many members will remember visiting the old premises of Watkins and
Doncaster at 110 Park View Road, Welling, Kent. The building is now
sadly demolished. The painting depicts how it looked in the 1960s.
Colin Ashford is a local artist.

Helen Marcan (3763) — A series of photographs was shown of
butterflies at the Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly House. Similarly to other
butterfly farms in the UK, the inhabitants are raised by captive breeding
programmes in the countries of origin: Central and South America,
Costa Rica, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, without depletion of wild
stocks, and providing local employment to under-developed areas.
Those species shown in the photographs included, among the
Nymphalidae: Metamorpha stelenes (the Malachite), Neptis nandina (the
Common sailor), Junonia almana; and among the Heliconiinae, an
entirely Neotropical family exhibiting variation and mimetic forms:
Heliconius ismenius, H. charitonia (the Zebra).

Also exhibited was a small selection of specimens obtained via
Transworld Butterflies of Costa Rica. Some of these may also be seen at
the butterfly farms depending upon the time of year: Hebomoia
glaucippe, Delias hyparete (the Jezebel) (Pieridae), Cyrestis themire,
Rhinopalpa _polynice —_ (Nymphalidae), Graphium eurypylus
(Papilionidae). The specimens are obtained variously from Malaysia,
Taiwan, the Philippines and South Asia.

Roy McCormick (3375) — New, bred, unusual, variations of species
seen in 1995.

938 Agepta zoegana Linn.
A form ferrugana caught at Great Haldon, Devon on 10.7.95 along with a
normal specimen.

988 Aphelia viburnana D. & S. Bilberry tortrix
Bred ex-larva from North Devon coast and seen at light at Hartland Point
and also caught at Hurley, Nr. Fernworthy Reservoir, Dartmoor.

989 A. paleana Hb. Timothy tortrix
Bred ex-larva from North Devon coast and seen at light at Hartland Point
and also caught at Hurley, Nr. Fernworthy Reservoir, Dartmoor.

154

990

13937,

1379

ley

1500

1522

1635

1750

1751

1769

We?

1815

Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a¢

A. unitana Hb.
Bred ex-larva from North Devon coast and seen at light at Hartland Point.

Eudonia alpina Cutt.

Several specimens of this species were found in a boggy area on the un-
grazed section of Grannish Moor, Aviemore, Scotland on 28.5.95; they
were first discovered by Peter Baker while we were looking for
carbonaria Cl. Netted mountain moth. The lowland specimens are greyer
than the mountain ones and the postmedian fascia does not have the
“bend back” as it meets the bottom edge of the forewing and they are
smaller; a pair of the mountain specimens are put in for comparison.

Eurrbypara terrealis Treit.
Seen abundantly to light in Hartland Point and Shipload Bay, North
Devon on.1-7.95: A species new: to me:

Udea decrepitalis H.-S.
Seen in several locations along the coast of Loch Arkaig on 30.- and
31.5.95. A species new to me.

Platyptilia calodactyla D. & S.
Caught as larvae in one location in North Devon and then seen at light in
another location, again in North Devon. A species new to me.

Leioptilus tephradactyla Hb.
Caught as larvae in one location in North Devon and then seen at light in
another location, again in North Devon. A species new to me.

Malacasoma castrensis Linn. Ground lackey

Seen by three people as larvae at Axmouth/Seaton, on the shingle spit
and on the saltings; caught commonly at light on the saltings at Axmouth
on 31.7.95. A couple of Kent specimens shown alongside these as a
comparison.

Lampropteryx suffumata D. & S. Water carpet
A couple of the extreme variations of this moth seen at Feshiebridge,
Scotland; end of May 1995.

L. otregiata Metc. Devon carpet

A bred specimen from eggs obtained from a female caught at Holne
Chase, Dartmoor, Devon; the larva of this specimen to be figured in the
new larvae book.

Thera obeliscata Hb. Grey pine carpet

This specimen caught in my garden trap on 31.8.95. The moth made a bid
for freedom at the wrong moment, hence the scale-less strip across the
right wing.

Hydriomena ruberata Freyer. Ruddy highflyer

Specimens bred from larvae caught at Trinafour, Scotland in September,
19948

Eupitheca abietaria Goeze. Cloaked pug
Specimens of this discovered in a local collector's collection, caught in

1985

1877

1881

1895

1987

2093

2144

ZINS

2436

Volume 55 + August 1996 155

and 1986 at Great Haldon, Devon; a follow-up produced a worn specimen
of this species at Bellever Forest in the middle of Dartmoor, Devon on
VATE DS).

Hydrelia sylvata D. & S. Waved carpet
Several locations for this species were discovered in and around
Dartmoor, Devon during 1995. A species new to me.

Trichopteryx carpinata Borkh. Early tooth-striped
Bred from eggs obtained from a female caught at Feshiebridge, Scotland
iLO,

Semiothisa carbonaria Cl. Netted mountain moth

Caught on the un-grazed area of Grannish Moor, Aviemore, Scotland on
28.5.95; the moths were fairly common one day but could not be seen a
day or two afterwards despite it being sporadically sunny. A species new
to me.

Hyles gallii Rott. Bedstraw hawk
Specimen caught at Prawle Point on 12.8.95. A new species to me.

Agrotis ripae Hb. Sand dart
This specimen was captured at Hartland Point on 1.7.95 although there is
no sand-type locality for miles; an unusual but well-marked moth to be
seen on this type of terrain.

Anarta melanopa Thunb. Broad-bordered white underwing

Seen commonly on the slopes at Lecht, Tomintoul, Scotland on 1.6.95; the
specimen came readily to sprigs of bird cherry laid on the ground. A
species new to me.

Hadena confusa Hufn. Marbled coronet

A couple of unusual variations of this moth that were caught at light at
Hartland Point, Devon on 1.7.95; one of these is almost ab. obliterae
which is usually seen in the Shetland Isles. (Skinner, Moths of the British
Isles).

Enargia paleacea Esp. Angle-striped sallow
Specimens of this species caught at light on Budby Common,
Nottinghamshire on 19th and 22nd August 1995. A species new to me.

Macdunnoughia confusa Steph. Dewick's plusia

This specimen came to an interested person's trap in Plymouth on
10.8.95; the moth laid several eggs but they were all infertile. A species
new to me.

An entomological curiosity

2087

Agrotis segetum D. & S. Turnip moth

This extra large specimen was caught in my garden at Teignmouth,
Devon on 8.10.94; I thought it might be something more exotic but
nevertheless it is a remarkably large Turnip moth measuring 40mm from
wing tip to wing tip; normal size (Skinner, Moths of the British Isles) is 32-
42mm. A normal size specimen was put in for comparison.

156 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae

Adam Muncer (10006J) — Exhibited spiders and a scorpion from
Australia.

Shown were: Poecilotheria regalis, P. formosa, P. ornata, P. metallica,
P. fascita, Avicularia spp., Theraphosa leblondi, Grammostula cala,
Ceratogyrus darlingi, Ceratogyrus spp., Phormictopus cancerides,
Brachypelma_ albopilosa, B. vagans, B. mirinus, Psalmopoeus
cambridgei and an Emperor scorpion with young.

David Oram (7127) — Showed South African butterflies caught during
April/May 1995, from coastal bush and around Durban, Natal. Exhibited
were: Charaxes brutus natalensis, C. varanes, C. candiope, Danaus
chrysippus daegyptius, Princeps demodocus, Belenois gidica, Colotis
regina, Eronia cleodora, Acraea esebria, Bematistes aganice and Appias
epaphia contracta; also shown was a butterfly trap used to catch
“Charaxes’ in a Durban suburb.

Rob Parker (5247) — A weekend in Serbia. During one weekend in one
locality I found 70 species of butterfly. Predrag Jaksic took me to the
ancient relict area of Topli Do (Warm Valley) in the Stara Planina (Old
Mountain) massif of the border between Serbia and Bulgaria.

We took voucher specimens of all species encountered, and the
exhibit comprises 47 of these. Some specimens were on loan, others
were retained by Jaksic, and the balance are common species. For the
sake of completeness, labels were inserted, even for the missing
examples.

The locality covered the valley from 750m, up through the village
(800m) and above it to about 1000m. The biome was mainly deciduous
foothills and montane woodlands, of a southern European character.

We have produced a paper covering a wider range of ten localities in
the same general area, and this will be published shortly.

John Payne (5923) — Exhibited a rare aberration of the Small heath,
from a garden in Northamptonshire in 1960, and a Painted lady V.
cardui ab. rogeri Melham; bred in 1995 from a pupa given shock
treatment.

Colin Penney — Interesting moths taken in the last twelve months.

Z. lotiD. & S. taken during the day on the Isle of Mull. NV. nymphaeatia
Linn. dark form taken at the Rothamsted site in Culzean Castle,
Scotland. T. cognata Thunb. taken as larvae on juniper in Aviemore,

é Volume 55 * August 1996 157

Scotland. H. ruberata Freyer taken as larvae on sallow in Trinafour,
Scotland. C. lapidata Hb. taken at light in Trinafour, Scotland. O.
bidentata Cl. unmarked dark form taken at light in Peterculter,
Scotland. L. solidaginis Hb. taken at light in Trinafour, Scotland. £.
Hevenecamioe Tesular visitor to light since the early eighties: at
Chelmsford, Essex. H. obsitalis Hb. taken as larvae in Devon.

Tony & Cathy Pickles (5225) — Hadena caesia (D. & S.) ssp. mananii
Grey. Two female specimens bred from Skye. This species was bred
from sea campion Silene maritima growing well up the cliffside. Only
Hadena confusa was present in the campion which grew abundantly at
the base of the cliffs on the shore.

Hadena confusa (Hufn.) Marbled coronet. Specimens, bred from
various localities, showing the range of variation. Darker and more
obscure forms predominate in the north and west, but it is noticeable
that there is little difference between those from Cornwall and Argyll.
Specimens from Unst in the Shetlands do not appear markedly darker
than those from North Devon, even after allowing for fading of these
tiitty-yeat-old imsects, On the other hand those from Skye are
decidedly blackish.

With the exception of the insect from Surrey all are bred from larvae
collected in the flowers and pods of sea campion Silene maritima
growing in coastal and cliff localities in the following places: Kent,
Surrey, South Cornwall, North Cornwall, North Devon, West Argyll, Isle
of Skye and Unst, Shetland.

Peter J.C. Russell (8977) — A case of butterflies from the Greek island
of Crete was shown. All the endemic species: Zerynthia cretica,
Kretania psylorita, Hipparchia cretica and Coenonympha thyrsis were
included. Carcharodus alceae and Coenonympha thysris were reared
from females brought back to this country and Nymphalis polychloros
was reared from wild larvae, which were totally unparasitised.
Libythea celtis, which was first recorded from Crete in 1991, was also
included.

A display of butterflies from the Canary Islands of Gran Canaria,
ienenic elas ealmae la Gomera and El bietro was also, exhibited:
Pseudotergumia wyssii wyssii from Tenerife was compared with P.
wyssit gomera from Gomera. The examples of Pontia daplidice,
Catopsilia florella, Lampides boeticus and Danaus plexippus were reared
from wild larvae; some of the P. daplidice and L. boeticus but none of

158 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae

the C. florella and D. plexippus produced parasites. Cyclyrius webbianus
was reared from wild ova and Zizeeria knysna from a female brought
to this country.

The similarity of wing patterns in Maniola jurtina from the eastern
and western extremities of its range were exemplified by M. jurtina
janira from Crete and M. jurtina fortunata from La Palma. Also Pontia
daplidice daplidice from El Hierro could be compared with P. daplidice
edusa from Crete, as could the closely related Avicia sp.: A. cramera
from La Gomera and A. agestis from Crete.

The difference between Gonepteryx cleobule from Tenerife and G.
eversi from La Gomera was exemplified photographically by the ultra-
violet reflectivity of the uppersides of the forewings and to a lesser
extent the hindwings of the female G. cleobule whilst that of G. eversi
did not reflect. An article from New Scientist was included which
suggested a possible use of these ultra-violet reflections by butterflies
in mate selection.

Bernard Skinner & Sean Clancy — Bred specimens of Peribatodes
manuelaria H.-S. from a female taken at Lydd, Kent on 4th August 1994
by K. Redshaw emerging both in 1994 and 1995. The display also
included photographs of the larvae in different instars, the pupa and
living adult.

Bernard Skinner — Bred specimens of Phlyctaenia stachydalis Germar
from larvae collected in Devon together with photographs of half-
grown and full-grown larvae.

Aberrant example of macrolepidoptera taken or bred in 1995:

Tetheella fluctuosa Hb. f. albilinea Cockayne from Loch Arkaig,
Argyllshire, on 26.vi.

Heavily banded form of Semiothisa liturata Cl. from Windsor Forest,
28th July.

Weakly marked form of Eupithecia pulchellata Steph. from Loch Arkaig,
26th June.

A pale form of Peribatodes rhomboidaria D. & S. from Sandwich, Kent,
12th August.

Specimens of Entephria flavicinctata Hb. bred from larvae collected in
Co. Antrim, Ireland in May together with examples of the paler ssp.
flavicinctata Hb. from Yorkshire and the darker ssp. ruficinctata from
Inverness-shire.

Bé Volume 55 « August 1996 159

On behalf of Lynn Hurst: a male Thaumetopoea processionea L. taken in
her garden light trap at Sholdon, Kent on 11th August 1995.

Microlepidoptera:

Specimens of the dark form of Scoparia ambigualis Treit. from Malham
Tarn, Yorkshire on 29th June 1995.

Two melanic examples of Dioryctria mutatella Fuchs from Windsor
Forest on 21st July 1995.

Matthew Smith (5866) — Exhibited Canadian Bumble bee from
southern Quebec collected by Mr Jean Brodeur as part of a specimen
exchange. Queens of ten Bombus and two Psithyrus were shown,
including Bombus borealis, B. fervidus, B. rufocinctus and Psithyrus
citrinus. B. rufocinctus is a polymorphic species and exhibits a range of
colour variation; specimens of both the red and black morphs were
shown.

Graham R. Smith (4950) — The exhibit was in two parts:

Part 1. The first consisted of three photographic enlargements of adult
Purple emperors (Apatura iris) taken during 1995. Two were of wild
females in Wiltshire and one of a reared male in full display.

Some 1995 views and a few notes
of the Purple emperor (Apatura iris).

How one normally sees iris. On a hot Sunday afternoon of the 23rd July
a somewhat worn female basks about 30 feet up an oak in between
feeding from sap running from the same tree, in a rather little known
Wiltshire haunt for this species. As the day cooled she descended to
much lower levels and repeatedly skimmed back and forth along the
woodland paths.

If you are lucky iris can be seen at much closer quarters. A visitor to a
rather well-known reserve near Salisbury did not slip up here as this
rather undersized female was attracted to a somewhat unlikely form of
bait that they had placed earlier — a fresh banana skin placed on an oak
branch!

How one very rarely sees iris—a male in full splendour. If you haven't
already guessed this is a shot of a posed reared specimen. This species
is easy enough to rear in captivity although it is essential that the larvae
are sleeved out of doors. One problem I have encountered, due to the
lack of tree canopy, urban surroundings and the higher temperature
within the sleeve, is that the butterflies usually emerge a couple of
weeks earlier than in the wild.

160 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society tf

Part 2. This served to demonstrate the similarities and differences
between three species of Buck eye butterfly found in Florida,
accompanied by a few notes on their haunts, habits, life history and
distribution. The specimens included Common buck eye (Junonia
coenia), Black mangrove buck eye (/. evarete) and Caribbean buck-eye
(J. genoveva), all taken in Florida during August 1993 and August 1995.

Buck eyes from the State of Florida, USA

There are three species of Buck eye (Nymphalidae) found in the Florida
Peninsula. They are highly territorial butterflies and are usually very
difficult to approach. The insects get their name from the large
eyespots on all four wings, which affords them some protection against
predators such as birds in a similar manner to our own Peacock
(Inachis io). The Buck-eyes are still often classified in the genus Precis,
which contains Old World species noted for extreme forms of seasonal
variation. This exhibit serves to demonstrate the similarities and
differences between them, as often more than one species are found
together. In flight they resemble the Red admiral (Vanessa atalania) in
coloration.

Common buck eye (Junonia coenia)

As its name implies this is the commonest of the buck eyes and can be
found in the drier grassy areas, often in large numbers. The larvae feed
on plants of the Scrophulariaceae family in south Florida but plantains,
(Plantago ssp.), foxglove and snapdragons are used further north. The
very large eye-spots on the hindwings and the spot on the upperside
forewing, which is ringed with white, enables it to be distinguished
from other buck eyes. There is considerable individual variation of the
darker markings on the underside. The winter (or dry season form) is
also marked more heavily.

Black mangrove buck eye (/. evarete)

This species is restricted to the coastal areas of the Florida Peninsula
where mangrove occurs. The adults perch on the leaves of the larval
foodplant, black mangrove, Avicennia germinans. It is often locally
abundant as it was near Card Sound, Northern Key Largo on 15th
August 1995. Despite being a very wary insect, sadly, many of these
Buck eyes were being hit by passing vehicles and my wife and I
removed several injured and dead insects, together with the fast-flying
Mangrove skipper (Phocides pigmalion), from the road surface. Many
were being quickly discovered by swarms of ants. Evarete is larger than
coenia but the forewing eye-spot is ringed with orange and the
hindwing eye-spots do not exceed the size of the forewing eye-spot.

a Volume 55 + August 1996 161

The underside is more uniform and paler than coenia but the markings
are heavier in the dry season.

Caribbean buck eye (J. genoveva)

Found only in the extreme south of the state, this species apparently
only temporarily colonises the area. At times it has been seen in
abundance but usually it occurs rather sporadically. The larvae feed on
plants of the Verbenaceae family. Although it resembles coenia, the
hindwing spots are much smaller and the forewing eye-spot is edged
with white but only on the outermost side. The underside is quite
contrastingly marked. In the past there was much confusion between
evarete and genoveva because of seasonal variation. At one time they
were simply referred to as species A and species B, where their ranges
overlap.

St. Ivo School (Henry Berman) — This enthusiastic master and _ his
equally keen junior Homo sapiens exhibited all things furry and scaly;
there were good displays which included various snakes wrapped
around exuberant necks and other parts of children's anatomy.

Tony Steele (4106) — Some Pieridae of North America.

Many of the butterflies of North America are very similar to those found
in Great Britain and Europe, and this includes their foodplants. The
specimens in this exhibit showed some of the similarities. Space
precluded showing the corresponding British examples.

Colias eurytheme, Orange sulphur: also called the Alfalfa butterfly, it is
a serious pest of alfalfa crops. There are several broods each year.
Ranges from Canada to Mexico.

C.. cesonia, Southern dog face: the name is derived from the poodle-like
markings. It is double-brooded with the larvae feeding on indigo and
clovers. Found in the south from California to Florida.

C. philodice, Clouded sulphur: very common, can be found swarming
around puddles and other moist places. There are several broods each
yearmeanad tne foodplant is” clovers., Al percentage of ‘females’ are
albinistic.

Anthocharis midea, Falcate orange tip: preferred habitat is along the
margins of damp woods, where it flies close to the ground. Larvae feed
on crucifers. Found in the south-eastern states of North America.

Pieris protodice, Checkered white: also known as the Common white,
very common all over North America. This also feeds on crucifers, and
produces three broods a year.

162 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society o>

Phoebis sennae, Cloudless sulphur: another name is the Giant sulphur.
Found mainly in the southern states in two broods with the adults
overwintering. Foodplant is wild senna.

P. philea, Orange-barred sulphur: very common along the Gulf of
Mexico and occasionally in the middle and mid-western states, in two
broods. The larvae feeds on legumes.

Raymond Thompson (9301) and Kay Medlock — Promoted the
British Dragonfly Society with their usual high quality display that we
have become used to. A wonderful sequence of A4 colour prints
illustrated in Macro the drama and magic of the emergence of the
Broad-bodied chaser, Libellula depressa. In addition a panel of excellent
photographs illustrated the nationally rare Norfolk hawker, Aeshna
isosceles, its distribution and notes on the threat to its survival. Kay
Medlock had used modern digital technology to produce these
photographs by using laser colour copies taken directly from 35mm
slides and laminating to protect them; much cheaper than Cibachromes!
Raymond Thompson's videos were playing constantly, showing much
of entomological interest such as eggs hatching, larval development,
prolarval phase of dragonfly emergence etc. Kay Medlock's excellent
slides of dragonflies were constantly on view in an automated slide
presentation. Many BDS members in addition to many AES members
visited the stand during the day. This exhibit has become a well-
established rendezvous for the dragonfly enthusiast on AES Exhibition
day.

Paul Waring (4220) — Display boards and a display case entitled: News
from some projects on British moths in 1995 featuring moth projects for
JNCC, CCW, EN and SNH, Butterfly Conservation and the BENHS, and
the results of a visit to Poland.

The Silurian Eriopygodes imbecilla

The Silurian Eriopygodes imbecilla was investigated in its haunts in
Monmouthshire, as part of a project commissioned by the Countryside
Council for Wales (CCW). It was found to be more widespread than the
single gully in which it was discovered in 1972, and extends over an
area at least 4km x 1km and probably more.

The Slender-striped rufous Coenocalpe lapidata

The Slender-striped rufous Coenocalpe lapidata was reared from eggs
laid by females caught in Sutherland last September (1994) during a
project for Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). The moth inhabits rush

a Volume 55 + August 1996 163

flushes in open moorland. The larvae hatched in March from eggs
hibernated in plastic pots under shelter outdoors. The larvae were
reared indoors and produced adults in late June and early July,
suggesting that they could have two generations per year in warmer
climates than those in Scotland. The larval foodplant in the wild is
unknown. Some larvae were reared on the leaves of buttercup
Ranunculus acris Which occurs on the breeding site) and others on
Clematis montanum (which does not). This moth is probably much
more widespread than records suggest, and I believe many colonies
have been overlooked. Habitat like that shown is plentiful. The moth
can be seen by day in hot sunny weather and adults and probably
larvae can be found by searching with a torch after dark.

The Black-veined moth Siona lineata

A third colony of the endangered Black-veined moth Siona lineata was
found in Kent on private land during work for English Nature's Species
Recovery Programme. Most of its habitat has been ploughed up at this
site recently and only a hectare remains but hopefully this last piece
can be saved permanently and adjacent land brought back into
condition for the moth, which continues to do well on its other two
sites.

The Reddish buff moth Acosmetia caliginosa

The Reddish buff moth Acosmetia caliginosa flew again on mainland
Britain in 1995, for the first time since it was lost in the early 1960s. Last
year 100 adults reared in captivity from stock originally from the Isle of
Wight were released into a site prepared for them in Hampshire, as part
of English Nature's Species Recovery Programme. The adults seen this
year confirm that eggs were laid in the wild and that the site is suitable
for the full life-cycle. The colony will continue to be monitored to see if
it is successful in the long term.

Crimson underwing survey

A survey of Light and Dark crimson underwings Catocala promissa and
C. sponsa took place on 12th August 1995 in the New Forest,
Hampshire, as part of a joint field meeting between the British
Entomological & Natural History Society and Butterfly Conservation. We
were delighted to find both species at five different places in the central
and eastern parts of the Forest, and the Light crimson underwing at a
sixth. Previously there had been concerns that the Dark crimson
underwing in particular had become much more localised within the
Forest. The meeting was filmed by a crew from the BBC and shown on
3rd September as part of the Nature Detectives series.

164 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae

Atlas of the scarce and threatened macro-moths of Great Britain

This project was started in the winter of 1992-93, following formation of
a national recording network for the rarer moths in 1991. The first draft
of maps was issued to all county recorders and record centres in 1992,
since when many further records and much new information has been
added. The text and maps are continually being updated on computer
and accounts of individual species are frequently being sent to
lepidopterists and conservation organisations. Editing for publication is
due to take place this winter with publication by the Joint Nature
Conservation Committee (JNCC) in 1996. The recording network will
continue to be serviced and the computer data-base kept up to date as
part of a joint project between BC and JNCC. Up to date national
distribution maps of fourteen species which have been demoted from
the Atlas because, fortunately, they have been found to be too
widespread and common to qualify, are being submitted for publication
in a paper for the Entomologist’s Record to make the information
available. For some of these species, such as the Sloe pug Chloroclystis
chloerata, there are no previous published maps. For others it is
interesting to compare the results with previous versions. While
recording has improved in some areas, it is clear that there have also
been real changes in moth distribution in the last two decades, with
increases as well as declines.

Larva of Sloe pug Chloroclystis chloerata feeding in blackthorn blossom
Prunus spinosa

This is one of the species dropped from the Atlas of the rarer macro-
moths because it is now known from more than 100 of the 10km
squares in Britain. The distribution map is the first to be prepared for
this species and will be published in the entomological press, along
with those of other species demoted from the Atlas, so that the
information is readily available.

Moth recording visit to Poland

For 15 years I have had the ambition to visit the only remaining
undisturbed primeval forest left in Europe, which is at Bialowieza on
the far eastern border of Poland, and to run a Robinson light trap there
for comparison with moth catches in Britain. This year, with the kind
assistance of Professor Jaroslav Buscko of Copernicus University, that
ambition was realised. The full results will be published in due course.
In addition to Bialowieza, where we saw Light and Dark crimson
underwings as in the New Forest, we visited the Biebrza Marshes, a
large area of wetlands with a population of European cranes Grus grus.

3 Volume 55 + August 1996 165

There we saw the Rosy underwing Catocala electa and another species,
Catacala pacta, which has a red abdomen as well as red hindwings. C.
pacta is considered rare in Europe and only occurs in the extreme east.
It may have been lost from Finland, so our discovery of a strong colony
at Biebrza Marshes is good news. It inhabits sallow carr Salix spp. and
we saw 27 in one night at the place shown in the accompanying
photograph.

The Viper's bugloss moth Hadena irregularis

While in Poland we also saw larvae of the Viper's bugloss moth
Hadena irregualris which is now considered extinct in Britain. The
larvae were feeding on Spanish catchfly Silene otites and also on
Gypsophila fastigiata, both growing in the dry sandy Breckland type of
habitat in which the moth used to be found in Britain. It appears that
the moth was last seen in Britain as larvae in 1977. Searches for larvae
took place at all known Spanish catchfly sites in 1988, with the largest
colonies of the plant being searched again in 1989, but no larvae were
found. They were easy to see on the plants by day in Poland and in
view of this experience I am confident they would have been found
during the surveys in Britain if they had been present.

Dr Rachel Thomas. — Showed a display illustrating the steps English
Heritage are taking to preserve wildlife on their holdings.

Len Winokur (8070) — Exhibited five examples of wing shape and
pattern pathology in Lepidoptera. The value of such _ teratological
aberrations (Russwurm, A.D.A. 1975. Aberrations of British Butterflies,
Classey) lies in what they tell us about development and evolution.
Shown were:

Speckled wood, Pararge aegeria Linn.; Male subjected to pupal chilling
at -20°C for 96 hours commencing 5-12 hours post pupation, with the
left hindwing present only as a stump bearing scales but no pattern.

Clouded buff, Diacrisia sannio Linn., Male reared ex. egg at 30°C, with
the left hindwing undeveloped and the right hindwing present as a
stump divided into an anterior and smaller posterior part each bearing
scales but no pattern.

Small white, Pieris rapae Linn.,; Male Snowe indentation of the left
_ forewing at the posterior margin.

_ Chalk-hill blue, Zysandra coridon Poda.; Female subjected to pupal
| chilling at -20°C for 96 hours commencing 5-12 hours post pupation,

166 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae

showing failure of wing expansion and an absence of wing membrane
from the discal cell of each hindwing.

Cinnabar, Tyria jacobaeae Linn.; Female subjected to pupal chilling at
-20°C for for 96 hours commencing 5-12 hours post pupation, with the
upper and undersides of both hindwings showing paler ground colour
toward the anterior wing spaces.

The compiler of these notes is not responsible for errors or claims made
by the exhibitors. However, an effort has been made to be as accurate
as possible. 7

Roy McCormick, FRES

REMEMBER THIS YEAR’S
EXHIBITION IS FREE TO MEMBERS

DON’T FORGET TO FILL IN THE
DETAILS ON YOUR PASS ISSUED
WITH THIS BULLETIN

t | Volume 55 + August 1996 167

The Small white in Australia
by Tony Morton (8820)

32 Chatsworth Road, Prahran, Victoria, Australia 3181.

I was interested in Phil Grey's comments on Pieris brassicae in Cape
Town, and feel he is right in forecasting a plague of these insects there
before long.

The appearance in Australia in 1937 (some say 1939), of Pieris
(Artogeia) rapdae rapae (Linnaeus) via New Zealand, where it had
presumably been accidentally introduced from Europe, caused some
annoyance, especially to those with vegetable gardens. First seen
around Melbourne and in the gardens and fields to the east of that city,
the butterfly, often known as the Cabbage moth, had reached
Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales by 1940. By 1942 it
was reported from Queensland, and it is now very common in most
settled areas throughout Australia wherever its introduced foodplant
grows. It is even met with not infrequently miles from “civilisation” in
forest and scrubland. I imagine that the story is the same in North
America, where the butterfly was introduced accidentally in 1800. In
Australia, perhaps partly because of the War, little was done to control
the insect until the fifties, when the authorities brought in several of its
predators (Apanteles spp. amongst others) from Europe. A friend of
mine tells me that, as a boy in the mid-fifties, market gardeners would
pay him a shilling a hundred for those “Cabbage moths”, and that he
could earn ten bob in a couple of hours! Gradually the predators
brought the numbers down, but the butterfly is still the commonest
species in Melbourne, being the first to fly in spring and the last to be
seen in autumn. It doesn't seem particularly fond of cabbage, for in my
garden it prefers nasturtium. Apart from these and Brassica spp, in
general, larvae are reported to be able to develop on mignonette and
Cleome spp. as well as a common weed called peppercress
(Lepidium hyssopifolium). The butterfly
looks exacily the same as English
specimens I have seen, though recent
studies have shown “major genetically
based behavioural differences from their
English conspecies.” However, this is not
unknown amongst human immigrants!

168 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a¢

Cruel death for Peck's skipper while the Harvester is collected
nearby. Cheesequake State Park, New Jersey, USA.
10th August 1995

by Matthew Rowlings (9108)
87 School Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 8DL.

During a two-week visit to the north-east United States in early August
1995, I spent a pleasant afternoon in the Cheesequake State Park of
north-eastern New Jersey. In the limited time available and with little
knowledge of the insect life in the Park I chose to follow the longest
and most diverse marked trail — the Green Trail. With warm but cloudy
weather and a typically dense, still forest there were odd spots
containing, atypically (in my experience of the north-east), reasonable
numbers of butterflies. The following is a combined general and
lepidopteran description of one of these spots.

The Green Trail had just taken me across a board-walk through an
amazing white cedar swamp. The darkness and _ stillness were
oppressive combined with the humidity and the entirely brown
surroundings. Weird creepers added an eerie perspective. Beyond, in
the more typical hardwood forest the ground dropped down onto a
flood plain that, to my eyes, contained no river, stream or puddle, but
did contain a dense 12-foot-high herbaceous forest — a North American
equivalent of a giant hogweed epidemic. As the trail emerged from this
dense growth a small but rarely encountered zone of ground-level
sunlight existed. Something batted past my face and, being starved of
butterfly action but having had enough practice over the summer to
have toned my reflexes, to my surprise I caught the insect. It was a
Harvester (Feniseca tarquinius) — the only one I managed to find
during my two-week stay. A member of the Lycaenidae, of the
subfamily Miletinae, I don't think it has any close relatives in Europe
but it can be imagined as a cross between the Moroccan hairstreak
(Tomares mauretanicus) and the Canary blue (Cyclirius webbianus).
The subfamily is particularly interesting in the larval stage. As
youngsters these butterflies are predatory or parasitic on Homopteran
hosts, usually aphids. Sometimes ants are exploited much as they are
by larvae of the Large blue (Maculinea arion) and others in Europe.
The Harvester is no exception, feeding on woolly aphids of genera
Schizoneura and Pemphigus, particularly if the aphid colony is feeding
on alder. By way of camouflage from their larger predators the larvae
drape themselves in the remains and secretions of their victims. A web

Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Fig. 1. Gomphus vulgatisimus (Club-tailed dragonfly) resting on dead wood by the Thames
near Hartslock SSSI on 19th May 1993.

Photographed on Hartslock SSSI on 5th September 1993.

PLATE 96M

Volume 55 « August 1996

Fig. 3. Asilus crabroniformis (2) feeding on a large field grasshopper.
Photographed on 26th August 1995 at a site in Cholsey, Oxfordshire.

Fig. 4. Asilus crabroniformis (@ ) feeding on a large field grasshopper.

Photographed on 26th August 1995 at a site in Cholsey, Oxfordshire.

PLATE 96N

Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Fig. 5. Another Red admiral basking place!

PLATE 960

Volume 55 * August 1996 3

Fig. 6. Some Emperor moths of the southem Sudan.
P.Waring. Bull. Amat. Ent. Soc. 54: (403) 255-200.
See facing page for legend.

PLATE 96P

to ] Volume 55 + August 1996 169

is spun to protect them from the attentions of ants that tend and defend
the aphids from most predators. The larval stage lasts only a very short
time —10/11 days and three moults — this further reduces exposure to
attacks by ants, although this very rapid growth may be a result of the
highly nutritious animal food.

However, this time the Harvester became harvested and the insect is
now treasured as part of my select collection. Oddly the adult does not
feed on flowers, it feeds on honeydew from the aphids its larvae feed
on. Doesn't this contradict the whole point of metamorphosis i.e. that
adult and larval interests do not overlap? Perhaps something for the
learned lepidopterist to comment on, but I warrant that other instances
of this non-conformance can be thought of, or maybe explained.

A very short walk through the ever nearby forest and a rare patch of
natural open grass (unfortunately of the leg-scratching type!) somehow
managed to resist the encroaching trees. A nearby stream kept it damp.
Although it was very small (perhaps 20m x 10m) it harboured several
butterflies of interest. The ubiquitous forest's odorous undercover
(sweet pepper bushes which fill the still air with a very heavy, sickly,
privet-like scent that made even my usually insensitive nose twitch)
formed a narrow border around the clearing and provided the fuel for
the adult butterflies that made it home. Several very smart Red-banded
hairstreaks (Calycopis cecrops) (the commonest butterfly I found in New
Jersey) were found here in very good condition feeding on the sweet
pepper. A single stunning White-M hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album)
was also feeding — it has an unmistakable white M Cike the white W of
the White-letter hairstreak (Strymonidia w-album)) and a big blue spot
at the base of the hindwing tails with shining deep blue flashes of the
upperwings. Several American Silver-spotted skippers (Epargyreus
clarus), easily as big as our Small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), were
showing off their golden-spotted upperwings and single large silver
streak of the underside. A Sachem (a skipper) (Atalopedes campestris),
like a giant Large skipper (Ochlodes venata), also fed in the meadow. A
lovely black Spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus) passed through — a
species that likes sunshine but is by no means averse to spending its
afternoons in the dark forest undergrowth.

In the middle of this scene a titanic struggle was being fought. A
most unfortunate Peck's skipper (Polites peckius) was suffering a slow

Fig. 6. Some Emperor moths of the southern Sudan. L-R: Epiphora bauhiniae (Nyany and
Juba, Imbrasia hectate (Nyany, Kopp, Juba), Bunea alcinoe (Nyany and Panyagor),
Pseudaphelia apollinaris form simplex (Nyany), Usta terpsichore (Juba).

170 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society og

fate in the clutches of two large praying mantids (each a full four inches
in length) similar to those I've seen in southern Europe. The mantids,
preoccupied by the question of who should get the meal, had forgotten
to kill their prey. I watched them as they fought strategically clutching
first the skipper then each other, always with one forearm gripping the
dying skipper. They occasionally lurched trying to gain the advantage.
After several minutes I turned away to watch about five Appalachian
eyed browns (Satyrodes appalachia) feeding in a shaded part of the
meadow. On returning to my ringside position, the jury were still
divided as to who would win the trophy and earn a good, fresh but
squashed meal! I left with the result still undecided.

References

Opler, P.A. and Malikul, V. (1992). A field guide to Eastern Butterflies (The Peterson Field
Guide Series). Houghton Mifflin Company.

Ordish, G., Crozat et Saint- Justh, F., and Barber, N. (1969). Butterflies and Moths:
learning with colour. Paul Hamlyn.

Sbordoni, V. and Forestiero, S. (1985). The World of Butterflies, an illustrated
encyclopaedia. Guild Publishing.

Higgins, L.G. and Riley, N.D. (1980). A field guide to the butterflies of Britain and Europe.
4th Edition. Collins.

Pyle, R.M. Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Butterflies. 1st edition. A.A.
Knopf (New York).

Klots, A.B. A Field Guide to the Butterflies of North America, East of the Great Plains. 1st
edition.

Out of season Tortricoid
by Alan Emmerson (10487)

As it was mild on 11th February I decided to run a trap, but rain was
forecast so I put it on our covered porch. Next morning it yielded a
solitary Chestnut (Conistra vaccinii), but on the inside of the window
overlooking the porch I found a beautiful Tortricoid. After some time I
concluded it was either Spilonota ocellana (the favourite), Cydia
succedana or C. splendana. | live in Surrey but work in Aberdeen, and
took the specimen north when I returned a couple of days later. My
micro guru, Dr Bob Palmer, soon identified it as C. splendana — at least
I had been close! C. splendana flies in July to August so what was one
doing in my house in February? On reference to British Tortricoid Moths
we discovered that the fully-fed larva leaves acorns or sweet chestnuts
soon after they have fallen and then constructs a cocoon in which it
overwinters, pupating in the spring. I had collected chestnuts in a small
wood near my home in November and must have brought a larva into
the house. This in turn must have pupated early and hatched in the
warmth of my living room. Any other theories?

ae Volume 55 * August 1996 171

Book
Review

Insects and flowers, a biological partnership by John Brackenbury. 4to,
hdbk. pp.160, 161 colour photos. ISBN 07137 2491 9. Blandford Press
OD we ree-32):00.

This is yet another display of this author's photographic art, first
exemplified in his earlier book, /nsects in flight. 1 do, however, cavil at
the presentation of them in this book. In the previous book the
photographs were, with but a couple of exceptions, printed on a page
and with an inner margin. Here they are far too often printed both
without an inner margin and partly running over the page so as to
occupy two pages, which, since this is not a book that opens dead flat,
gives a distorted view of the subject. It is also my opinion that a
number of them suffer from too great an enlargement and could well
have given a better visual impact by being printed half the size they
have been. In particular I find the large photographs containing pink,
red and purple flowers — and there are rather a lot of them — very
visually overpowering. At least one photograph of the Peacock butterfly
is shown in duplicate but different in size, one photograph, No. 50,
which on half a page is the one I prefer, and the same spread over two
Cun-numbered) pages (48/49 by inference). A number of the
photographs would seem to have been included because they were
available in lieu of actual insect ones. These show flowers and scenery
of which better photographs are available in a number of other books.

Turning to the text, this is a simple and non-technical account of the
inter-relationship between the insects and the flowers they visit. The
various chapters take us through the process: the flower as a food
source; the market for pollen; types of flowers and how they are
pollinated; how the world looks to an insect. Here I would have liked
to see some photographs taken by ultra-violet light, for the colours we
see on flowers are not those seen by the insects with their visual range
shifted into the ultra-violet end of the spectrum and lack of seeing

VAi2 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society &¢é

many of the reds. Be it noted, however, that many of these red colours
reflect ultra-violet. I noticed a few mis-statements, such as “Regular
hibernators such as the Red admiral... ”. Still a very controversial issue
and rare occurrence! There are a number of other errors. For instance
the Small skipper should be 7hymelicus sylvestris not T. flavus Cwhich it
has never been); the Dark-green fritillary has not been in the genus
Mesoacidalia for many years and should be Argynnis. There ‘are also
errors in the indexing. No trace of the Marbled white on page 101 for
instance and the Scarce swallowtail is depicted on illustration 141 not
144 as stated in the index. Sheer carelessness and spotted errors such as
these must cast a cloud over the accuracy of the text as a whole.
Although well-printed and bound the publishers could not make up
their minds whether to justify the text or not;-it is a mix of right justified
and ragged!

I would have liked to see a more extensive bibliography. It consists
of only eight titles, but perhaps it is as sparse as this for a very good
reason that this specialised subject really has such a limited literature,
although further references — to papers rather than books — are of
course to be found in the titles quoted, the two classic texts on the
subject, those of Faegri & Van der Pijl and of Proctor & Yoe, are now
getting on in years and much new information is now available but
scattered.

As in his previous books, I find the pagination confusing; although
most of the pictures are numbered, some are not, neither are all the
pages foliated and it is off-putting to see page “107” following page 108
as well as “page” 120 apparently following page 118, until one realises
that the “107” and “120” are actually the colour photo numbers.

This is a colourful book containing useful information on the subject,
but sadly marred by the flaws mentioned above, although I believe the
textual information may be more accurate than the naming, indexing
and foliation. At a price that compares with many books without any
colour illustrations &20 is not unreasonable. However, I have noticed
that many books of this ilk, including those of this author and
publisher, are remaindered at about a third of the published price
within a couple of years — two indeed within six months — of
publication and I would recommend looking at this book in a library
before making up your mind and then if you want it on your shelves,
wait for the price to drop, which it might even have done by the time
this review appears.

Brian Gardiner

L] Volume 55 + August 1996 173

J.R. Eagles

I have been looking for a Mr J.R. Eagles who served in the Royal Navy
in 1943. Mr Eagles, nicknamed “Bugs”, was a keen entomologist, and I
believe that his father was the editor of an entomological publication.
Several of my naval colleagues are gathering this year to wallow in
nostalgia, but Mr Eagles is missing. I believe he once resided in north
London.

Anyone with information should contact Eric Maclean at 8 Telford
Terrace, Pimlico, London SW1V 3AE or the Bulletin editor.

AES ANNUAL EXHIBITION
Saturday 5th October 1996

Kempton Park Racecourse
Staines Road, Sunbury, Middlesex

Doors open at 1lam

Admission &1.00
Members free on production of pass issued with the August Bu/letin
For further information, please write to:

Amateur Entomologists' Society
| PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG

174 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

Inter-generic courtship

by Matthew Rowlings (9108)
87 School Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 8DL. Wye mee =

Having recently re-read WJ. Tennent's article on’ inter-generic mating
behaviour in Lepidoptera (Bull. Amat. Ent. Soe-54-394): pp. 107) I am
prompted into reporting a striking instance of inter-generic courtship.
One warm August night, some time in the mid-1980s, I was walking
around one of the many flowering Buddleia bushes in our garden in
Cambridgeshire an hour or so after dusk. With a torch in hand I was
searching, profitably, for nectaring moths. One flower was the chosen
roosting spot for a quiescent female Large white (Pieris brassicae.
Several minutes later my torch beam touched upon the Large white
again, but this time there -happened to be a male Yellow shell
(Camptogramma bilineata) fluttering by. The butterfly twitched its
wings and the moth was in love! It flew at the butterfly much like a
lusty male Large white would have done in daylight. The butterfly took
the approach seriously but was definitely not in the mood. She
responded in the characteristic rejection posture of slowly flapping
wings with abdomen raised. This had no effect on the moth who kept
making approaches. After several seconds it occurred to me that it
might be my torch beam that was causing this social intercourse, so I
switched it off briefly. Switching back on revealed a quiescent roosting
Large white and no Yellow shell.

The whole scenario was, I think, the result of confusion caused by
my artificial torch light. Moving into the realms of speculation, the
diurnal butterfly was probably responding to the visual stimulus of the
nearby illuminated moth and saw it as a small, yellowy male butterfly
with romantic intentions. The Geometridae family to which the Yellow
shell belongs is probably the most (superficially at least) similar moth
family to the butterflies in size, shape and flight. So the confusion on
the part of the female is perhaps understandable. The male's interest in
her on the other hand is more of a puzzle. Quite unaccustomed to
courting in daylight it can be suggested that he found some
pheromonal stimulus from the large butterfly, or perhaps the bright
whiteness fascinated him (although the torch itself didn't attract him).
The former is plausible because it is not usual for the Yellow shell to be
sexually active during day light hours and the female Large white
would not normally flap her wings after dark — my torch light may have
merged daylight and night time in an unnatural way causing this
strange interaction between butterfly and moth.

i
|
i

36 Volume 55 + August 1996 175

Pieris mannii and other animals on Corfu in May 1995

by Rob Parker

203 Washington Street, Beck Row, Suffolk IP28 8EX.

My visit to Corfu (9th - 23rd May 1995) was partly inspired by Gerald
Durrell's “My Family and Other Animals”, but the foundations of my
expectations concerning the butterfly fauna were laid by Russell
Bretherton, whose listing (Baldock & Bretherton, 1981) identified a total
of 79 species recorded from the island — 63 with certainty, and 16
requiring confirmation. Corfu is the greenest of the Greek islands and
this, with its proximity to the Albanian coast, give it a greater diversity
of flora and fauna than the other islands of the Ionian/Aegean. None of
the works I consulted before my visit led me to expect the Eastern
orange tip, Anthocharis damone Boisduval 1836 on the island, or
indeed, the Southern small white, Pieris mannii Mayer 1851.

My wife chose an attractive-looking hotel from the Horizon holiday
brochure and I approved its location along the north-eastern coastline,
on the cliffs below Mount Pantokrator, and well away from the over-
developed tourist resorts that now sadly spoil the island's natural
beauty. The habitat is essentially rough Mediterranean garrigue on a
steep hillside above cultivated olive groves down to the sea, without a
significant coastal belt, but with a wonderful variety of wild plants. At
Barbati, we were close to the area in which Baldock collected
(Baldock & Bretherton, 1981) and to a number of sites described by
the Durrells.

My first foray was a short walk at 10am on 10th May 1995, and within
200 metres of the hotel the first butterfly we saw was a wonderful
surprise - a bright yellow male Anthocharis damone that eventually
settled obligingly at the side of the path to allow positive identification.
I subsequently took a few males and one female, and found them quite
typical. For three days they were common in this location, though
worn, but thereafter they were scarce, though I did find one straggler
there on 20th May. The only other site on the island at which A.
damone was noted was just five kilometres away, but higher up the
slopes of Pantokrator, at about 400 metres, on the footpath from Nissaki
towards the deserted village of Sinies and (eventually) the summit. As it
turned out, this was not a new record for Corfu, as I had been beaten
to it by Showler (1984) and Bernhard (Tolman & Bernhard, 1994). Both
of these collectors had taken it along the same strip of the north-eastern
coastal hillside.

176 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

The second butterfly that morning was also an unfamiliar delight, in
the form of the Southern swallowtail, Papilio alexanor. In the same
locality this was also quite common, being very mobile between the
open glades on the hillside, and often flying in groups of three or four.
Individual insects were quite variable in size and colour, from dwarf
forms “too small for a Swallowtail” to large faded specimens that could
easily be mistaken for the Scarce swallowtail, /. podalirius, which was
also on the wing in increasing numbers towards the end of our stay. In
flight the difference was quiet noticeable, with P. alexanor behaving
more like a fluttering mini-machaon than with the easy-gliding
elegance of I. podalirius. Whilst the normal Swallowtail, P. machaon is
found on Corfu, I did not identify any with certainty, although the
fennel shot up from 10 centimetres to an astonishing two metres during
our stay.

My first day's tally counted out at 21 species, although a couple of
these took several repeat visits to confirm. As the days went by we
visited other localities, watched while new species emerged and found
a few lucky singletons, generally adding one or two species to the list
each day. In all, I reached a count of 42 — a very satisfactory 57% of the
known total. We made car excursions to the northern and southern tips
of the island, to Lake Korission and to the summit of Mount Pantokrator
(900 metres). The weather seemed to conspire to deny us satisfactory
collecting opportunities on these excursions, with wind or cloud
limiting what was on the wing so we saw the range of habitat the
island has to offer without finding anywhere to beat Barbati for
butterfly diversity. ‘The ‘species ‘recorded in Table .1- were, alli tound
within a five kilometre walk of Barbati, except where specifically noted.

The Whites needed to be watched with care, just.as they did in
Cyprus (Parker, 1983). Neither the Large white P. brassicae nor the
Small white P. rapae were at all common, but both were flying in small
numbers. Also present were the Green-veined white P. napi, the Wood
white L. sinapis, the Bath white P. daplidice and the Dappled white
Euchloe ausonia. See Cribb (991) for an explanation of the past
misuse of E. simplonia. In May I found both the first brood and the
much larger second brood specimens flying together.

Two female Southern small whites Pieris mannii (Mayer 1851) were
taken on the hillside above Barbati at about 300 metres on 22nd May
1995. At the time, I did not appreciate the significance of this catch, and
only on returning home did I realise that P. mannii is a new record for
Corfu. It is hardly surprising though, as the type locality for P. mannii is

4 Volume 55 + August 1996 ay

to Italy
65 miles

Ag. Spiridon

Sidari
Kassiopi

MT. PANTOKRATOR
914m
e

ALBANIA

Kaminaki
Nissaki

eee: Barbati
Ag. Giorgios
e

Paleocastritza

GREECE

Vido ls.

CORFU

Mon Repos

®
Val di Ropa Potamos

@
Ag. Gordios ponlsen

Ag. Mattheos
Cape Lelkimo
CORFU SS
SKETCH MAP Lake Korisson
10 Miles
| aa

just along the Adriatic coast at Split, and the insect is known from Sicily
as well as the Greek mainland.

Another good find amongst the Pieridae was Krueper's small white P.
krueperi, a new species for me. Its heavy hindwing markings made it
look large in flight, but I had only taken one until the last day, when I
netted a clumsy flier which turned out to be a pair of P. kruepari in
cop. They remained paired for at least 30 minutes in captivity and I
decided to bring them home with me. Regrettably the female turned up
her nose at the Suffolk substitute for sunshine, and refused to lay on
the potted alyssum I had offered.

178 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Lo

The excellent Windrush Island Guide to Corfu (Coleman & Mewton,
1991) gives useful biogeographic guidance with some notes on flora,
birdlife and reptiles and helped me to choose where to go. Future
visitors might like to note some possibilities:

Mount Pantokrator (914 metres). The summit, with its monastery
spoiled by tall communications masts, is on the tourist trail and can
be approached on a metalled road via the villages of Strinilas or
Petalia. The last four kilometres or about 100 metres vertically, is
better suited to four-wheel-drive or walking; the terrain becomes
more open above the market garden patchwork near the villages.
This area is unique on the island, but was not productive in May.

Ag Deka (576 metres). The more southern range of hills is less
rugged and more verdant than Pantokrator. The Achillion palace lies
in its foothills and its garden is often mentioned in records. This area
could present good collecting later in the season.

Corfu town. There are two notable gardens in Corfu town that are
worth a visit. The first is the British Cemetery, a well-tended, heavily
wooded garden with an interesting selection of orchids and
headstones amongst which I saw the only Red admiral Vanessa
dtalanta noted. Mon Repos, birthplace of the Duke of Edinburgh, is
set in an extensive public garden where admission is free for those
who can find the gate. Although the palace is in a sad state of
repair, the coastal setting and the three ancient Greek temples are
worth a look. Most of the gardens are in the heavy shade of tall
conifers, and this was the only location in which Ifound the
Speckled wood Pararge aegeria despite keeping my eyes open in
many apparently suitable habitats elsewhere.

Ag Spiridon. The Andinioti lagoon and the adjacent beach of Ag
Spiridon with its sand lillies were a favourite haunt for the Durrell
family. The northernmost tip of Corfu lies nearby and presents a
low-lying rocky coastal habitat rather different to other rocky shores.
Here I found the Balkan marbled white Melanargia larissa in some
numbers and a single Grayling.

Coastal footpath. A clifftop footpath runs from Nissaki to Kassiopi
and passes through a variety of habitat and productive collecting
localities. I saw my only Hipparchia syriaca amongst pines beside
the path and my only Gegenes pumilio on the rough hillside nearby.

od Volume 55 + August 1996 179

A large tortoise shared the path with us through the olive groves,
and expecting to find another when we investigated noises in the
adjacent undergrowth, we were surprised to find a very long snake!
Higher up the cliffside I later identified a Balkan whip snake of
about two metres, basking in the sun. Conveniently, the bus route
from Corfu to Kassiopi follows a similar route, so it is possible to get
off the bus so as to use the coastal footpath in convenient segments.
A special memory of this route is the lingering aroma of herbs
crushed underfoot and wonderful views of the coastline and
adjacent Albania.

Above Nissaki. A stiff climb through the villas comprising Viglatsouri,
the hamlet at the southern end of Nissaki, gives access to some
serious long-distance walking routes through National Park area, up
to the deserted village of Sinies, beyond through the foothills and up
eventually the summit of Mount Pantokrator. We covered about 18
kilometres from Barbati to Sinies and back and found it agreeable in
May, though it would be extremely hot in high summer. Spanish
broom and diverse wildflowers at the edge of the track (passable by
4WD/motorbike) attract a good variety of butterflies from the
surrounding meadows, and the route gives a good transect through
typical 200-400 metre biotope (and up to 914 metres for those with
stamina). On the sun-baked stone path we found bees and wasps
congregating in large numbers and got a close look at the
(poisonous) Sand viper, which is only about 15 centimetres long,
but clearly marked. It was able to move swiftly and smoothly across
the rocks and up a vertical sandstone cliff!

Lake Korission. Divided from the sea by a barrier of sand dunes,
Lake Korission is set in a wild and undisturbed area of marshy
sandlings that proved fruitful for diptera (McLean, 1983) and could
well repay further exploration.

One special delight in May is the spectacle of the Fireflies. They
become active (or visible?) just after dusk and fly at a constant
height, flashing regularly like mini airliners with anti-collision
beacons. They fly mostly in straight lines, so they are easy to net
and to fetch indoors for inspection. They continued to emit and sat
at our bedside flashing like electronic alarm clocks. We saw
relatively few moths, but enjoyed one daytime sighting of a Striped
hawkmoth Celerio livornica, hovering and feeding just an
armslength away. Another attractive insect seen was the ascalaphid —

180 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 4

a colourful relative of the larger ant-lions; I am familiar with the
yellow winged Ascalaphus macaronius, but at Ag Spiridion I also
saw one with pale purple markings, and very attractive it was too.

Species List

Alain Olivier has put a great deal of work into the butterflies of the
Greek Islands (eg. Olivier 1987, 1993) and he has updated the species
list in Bretherton & Baldock, 1981. His present listing for Corfu (Olivier
1995) is reproduced here with his approval, as a baseline for showing
the species I found in May 1995 (See Table 1). Additions to the Corfu
list since 1981 include Pyrgus malvae (McLean 1983), Anthocharis
damone (Showler 1984) and the migratory Danaus chrysippus
(Vanholder 1993). In addition, a single Hyponephale lupina was taken
by Dr Roger Dennis in an olive grove at Ag Stefanos, north of Agnitsini
in August 1990. The specimen has been identified by Olivier and is
now held in his collection. This information has not yet been published
elsewhere, and thus comprises a new record for Corfu.

Olivier has made a number of nomenclatural rationalisations to the
list, and some provisional deletions. His listing of doubtful species is
therefore included for the sake ‘of completeness. Some further
taxonomic adjustments have been incorporated at the suggestion of
Roger Dennis. The checklist of confirmed records runs to 74 species
and I consider I did well to find over half of them (42) during a
fortnight stay.

Records for September

By good chance, colleague Tony Dobson (AHD) visited the very same
locality later the same season. Staying at Nissaki, he recorded 24 species
during the period 16th - 22nd September 1995, and these are annotated
“s” on the table. The September records add Papilio machaon,
Muschampia proto and Lampides boeticus to my May (m) sightings, but
otherwise reflect mainly common multiple brooded or enduring
species. Pieris mannii was not amongst the whites found in September,
but AHD was close to sea level, and did not get into the higher ground
where I found it. Iam grateful for consent to publish on his behalf.

The genus Hipparchia deserves a special mention here, since past
records include too many species. Firstly there are the Rock grayling
group which I saw and of which AHD took three examples. Two of

= I I

3 Volume 55 + August 1996 181

these were sent to Kudrna and were positively determined as males of
the Eastern rock grayling H. syriaca, and this is in line with earlier
records. These specimens are now lodged in Kudrna's collection. I also
took one Grayling (or Southern grayling) which presents an
identification problem. Olivier is satisfied that H. volgensis is found on
Corfu (pers. comm.), whilst Kudrna is equally satisfied with H. semele
(pers. comm., updating Kudrna, 1977). Quite possibly both are right,
and both are agreed that past records of H. aristaeus senthes should be
considered invalid. Additionally there are past records of the Tree
grayling Hipparchia statilinus, which we did not take. This makes at
least three species of Grayling, and highlights the need for future
visitors to Corfu to bring some males back for positive identification.

A number of additional unconfirmed records have been submitted
recently:

Lycaena thersammon by Peter Taylor (unpublished).

Neptis rivularis, Thymelicus lineola, Gegenes nostrodamus by David
Withrington (1995).

These have not been included in the main checklist pending
confirmation. Indeed, in the two years since his visit, Withrington has
reconsidered and now believes that his record of N. rivularis should be
discounted (pers. comm.). T. lineola he identified in the field, unaware
that it had not previously been recorded. He did take one specimen of
“G. nostrodamus’ and J took the opportunity to compare this very worn
female with some of my G. pumilio from Cyprus and found it larger
and distinct; quite possibly both G. pumilio and G. nostrodamus are
found on Corfu, as on Crete (Coutsis & Olivier, 1993).

Acknowledgements

I am grateful for the close co-operation of many colleagues in the
production of this article, which has progressed from an account of my
holiday to a well-researched species list which should be of value to
future visitors to Corfu. In particular, thanks are due to Roger Dennis,
Tony Dobson and Peter Taylor, who have allowed me to reproduce
their otherwise unpublished records, to David Withrington for access to
his specimens, to Otakar Kudrna for identification and advice on the
genus Hipparchia, and above all to Alain Olivier whose painstaking
research created this updated species list for Corfu.

182 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Checklist of the
butterflies of Corfu
RP, May 1995 = m
AHD, September 1995 = s

Thymelicus sylvestris (Poda, 1761)
m T. acteon (Rottemburg, 1775)
m s_ Ochlodes venatus (Bremer & Grey, 1853)
m s Gengenes pumilio Hoffmannsegg, 1804)
Erynnis marloyi (Boisduval, [1834])
m s_ Carcharodus alceae (Esper, 1780)
m C. orientalis (Reverdin, 1913)
m Spialia orbifer Hubner, [1823])
s Muschampia proto (Ochsenheimer, 1808)
Pyrgus malvae (Linnaeus, 1758)
Zerynthia polyxena ((Denis & Schiffermiuller],
s Papilio machaon (Linnaeus, 1758)
m P. alexanor (Esper, [1800]
m s__ Iphiclides podalirius (Linnaeus, 1758)
m s_ Leptidea sinapis (Linnaeus, 1758)
m s_ Colias crocea (Geoffroy in Fourcroy, 1785)
m s_ Gonepteryx cleopatra (Linnaeus, 1767)
G. rhamni (Linnaeus, 1758)

m Pieris brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758)
m s_ P. rapae (Linnaeus, 1758)

m P. mannii (Mayer, 1851)

m P. napi (Linnaeus, 1758)

m s_ P. krueperi (Staudinger, 1860)
m Pontia edusa (Fabricius, 1777)

m Anthochanis cardamines (Linnaeus, 1758)

Ses

2 5

Volume 55 + August 1996 183

A. damone (Boisduval, 1836)
Euchloe ausonia (Hubner, [1804])
Callophrys rubi (Linnaeus, 1758)
Satyrium spini ([Denis & Schiffermuller], 1775)

S. ilicus (Esper, 1779)

Lycaena phlaeas (Linnaeus, 1761)

L. ottomana (Lefebvre, 1830)

L. alciphron (Rottemburg, 1775)

Tarucus balkanicus (Freyer, |1844])

Leptotes pirithous (Linnaeus, 1767)

Lampides boeticus (Linnaeus, 1767)

Cupido minimus (Fuessly, 1775)

Celastrina argiolus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Pseudophilotes vicrama (Moore, 1805)
Glaucopsyche alexis (Poda, 1761)

Plebejus argus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Aricia agestis (Denis & Schiffermuller], 1775)
Polyommatus thersites (Cantener, 1835)

P. icarus (Rottemburg, 1775)

Libythea celtis (Laicharting, 1782)

Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Charaxes jasius (Linnaeus, 1767)

Limenitis reducta (Staudinger, 1901)

Nymphalis antiopa (Linnaeus, 1758)

N. polychloros (Linnaeus, 1758)

Inachis io (Linnaeus, 1758)

Vanessa atalanta (Linnaeus, 1758)

Cynthia cardui (Linnaeus, 1758)

Aglais urticae (Linnaeus, 1758)

Polygonia c-album (Linnaeus, 1758)

P. egea (Cramer, [1775])

Argynnis pandora ((Denis & Schiffermtller], 1775)
A. paphia (Linnaeus, 1758)
Issoria lathonia (Linnaeus, 1758)

aR Artic |

YN Oh fi, pp WPI
Sl ‘ 7] vip

184 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a

Some observations on the pairing and egg-laying habits of the
Saturniid moth Dictyoploca simla Westwood

by Mark Pickup (5749)

42 Dean Street, Derby DE22 3PS.

Late in the autumn of 1994 several cocoons of the attractive Indian
silkmoth Dictyoploca simla started to hatch. Originally I obtained these
as Ova at an entomological fair earlier in the year. The resultant larvae
were reared on hawthorn (in my opinion the best foodplant for this
species) throughout the summer months. The cocoons produced were
large and seemed to vindicate my choice of pabulum.

The first moth emerged on 11th November — a very colourful male
with a wingspan of 13cm. No partner being readily available, it was
confined to a netting cage in an unheated room, a temperature of
approximately 57°F, cool enough I assumed to ensure inactivity.
Unfortunately, I discovered at a later date that the temperature in the
average November in northern India is almost identical. This probably
explains why a midnight cage inspection revealed a tattered moth
vigorously expending all its energy in flight.

A female simla emerged on 14th November, a fine large specimen
with a wingspan of 15cms. However, the likelihood of a pairing being
achieved now seemed slim. Both moths were placed inside a cylindrical
netting cage, suspended from the ceiling. Again the temperature
remained cool. From dusk onwards the male proceeded to flap
aimlessly around the bottom of the cage whilst the female “called”. On
the morning of 15th November I found there were 18 obviously infertile
eggs oviposited in the cage. No pairing had occurred. Luckily, during
the afternoon, a further two male simla emerged. Although a pairing
was now extremely unlikely, I decided to experiment.

The largest of the fresh males was left undisturbed in the small,
square rigid emerging cage. The female was then _ introduced,
temperature and conditions being exactly as before. The following day
an early morning inspection revealed the moths to be in copulation,
cramped together in the top corner of the cage. Oddly a further 33
infertile ova had been laid before the pairing took place!

The pair separated at approximately 10pm that evening. To my
surprise and disappointment no eggs whatever were laid during the
night. I decided at this stage to confine the female sim/a straight away
to a small cardboard box measuring 17x10x7cms. At the same time the

ae Volume 55 + August 1996 185

temperature was raised to 75 F, in the hope that this would promote
the laying of some viable ova. Although the moth had just encountered
daybreak and would quite obviously be confused, it suddenly became
active within the darkened chamber. The box vibrated violently. These
false conditions seemed to suit!

During the following two days 168 fertile ova were deposited in two
separate batches, concealed underneath a cardboard flap inside the

box. All of these eggs subsequently hatched the following year in late
March.

My experience with Dictyoploca simla was encouraging, proving
that despite infertile ova being laid, success can still be achieved.

Red admirals and washing lines — Part 2
by Roberta Gunnell (6132)
2 Springfields, Lower Moors Road, Colden Common, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1SH.

I regularly find Red admirals on my washing line at various times of the
day. They usually rest on white or light-coloured articles and on the
sunny side of the line. Earlier in the year Small tortoiseshells may also

be found there. They seem to be sunning themselves or cleaning their
proboscis.

Red admirals and washing lines — Part 3

by Don Madin (10023)

32 Kinross Road, Chesterton, Cambridge CB4 1OY.

Following the notes on unusual sites for Red admirals in Bulletin 404,
the photograph (Plate 960, Figure 5) may be of interest. It was taken at
Plas Brondanw, Gwynedd on 8th September 1995, a mainly dull though
mild day with several sunny periods. The photo also shows the

unwelcome attention of birds, a large section of one wing having been
removed.

In common with other parts of the country, both this species and the
Painted lady (Cynthia cardui) were present in high numbers.

186 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

The occurrence of seaweed flies (Diptera: Coelopidae) at
Hartlepool

by Simon Hodge

Ecology Centre, Science Complex, University of Sunderland SR1 3SD.

Introduction

Wrack beds are accumulations of seaweed washed ashore by high
spring tides or during storms. The wrack usually persists on shore until
it is washed away by a subsequent storm or by the next high spring
tide. Previous works have described a characteristic dipteran fauna of
wrack beds, prominent members of which are species belonging to the
family Coelopidae (eg. Backlund 1945; Egglishaw 1960). Many previous
investigations into the dipteran fauna of wrack beds have utilised
populations situated on the north-east coast of England, mainly those
from Whitburn, formerly in County Durham but now part of the Tyne
and Wear district, to Seahouses on the Northumberland coast (eg.
Egglishaw 1960; Dobson 1974, Rowell 1965; Phillips & Arthur 1994;
Phillips et al. 1995). In distribution maps the species studied appear to
be absent from an area of coastline south of Whitburn to the Tees
estuary but present once more at sites south of the Tees (Dobson 1974;
Phillips et al. 1995). Dobson's (1974) map describes the area of
coastline between Whitburn and the Tees as definite absences; that is,
where a survey has been performed but the species studied not located,
as opposed to simply lack of record. As sizeable strings of wrack have
regularly been observed on the rocky beaches at Hartlepool, to the
north of the Tees, the absence of coelopids at this site appears
anomalous.

The aim of this investigation was to “re-survey” the beaches at
Hartlepool for the presence of Coelopa frigida Fabricius and C. pilipes
Haliday. Included in the study was another, morphologically similar,
dipteran species which also utilises wrack beds, Orygma luctuosum
Meigen. This latter species was once classified as a coelopid (eg.
Egglishaw 1960) but is now placed in the Sepsidae (Pont 1979).

Methods

On three occasions in July 1995 samples of wrack material were taken
from a shingle beach south-west of the Huegh breakwater on the
Hartlepool headland (“Block Sands”; Grid ref, NZ 530334). Samples
were taken by cutting around a one litre container and quickly placing
it into a plastic bag. Two one litre samples of wrack material were

34 Volume 55 + August 1996 187

taken on each sampling occasion. The flies were extracted from the
wrack material by flotation; placing the sample in a bucket of
concentrated saline and catching flies as they floated to the surface.

The site was visited a further three times in September and October
1995. On these latter occasions sampling was carried out using a hand-
held portable vacuum cleaner (Black & Decker, Spennymoor, Co.
Durham) to capture adult diptera around the wrack beds. Wrack
material was agitated and shingle and boulders lifted in order to disturb
the flies. Each sample consisted of the flies captured in a ten minute
period.

Results

The catches of adult Diptera belonging to the genera Coelopa and
Orygma are summarised in Table 1. Both species were found, both in
the wrack material and in the vacuum samples. The site was quite
diverse in terms of wrack-inhabiting diptera; the anthomyiid, Fucellia
maritima Haliday, the sphaerocerids Thoracochaeta zosterae Haliday
and T. brachystoma Stenhammer, and members of the Empididae were
also found at the site.

Discussion

The results of the survey confirm the occurrence of two species of
Coelopa and the sepsid Orygma Iluctuosum on wrack beds at
Hartlepool. The omission from previous distribution maps may have
been due to chance, although the contagious distribution of flies under
rocks and stones and generally affinity with wrack material makes them
readily found if actually present. It is known that populations of these
species fluctuate a great deal in size (eg. Egglishaw 1960) making it
possible that the species were not recorded because the surveys were
carried out at a population low point. Another possibility is that the site
has recently been colonised, either from populations south of the Tees
or from the well-established populations further north. The occurrence
of coelopids at Hartlepool may suggest that other definite absences
given on the earlier distribution maps may now contain these species.
Further surveys at sites between Hartlepool and Whitburn may resolve
this problem.

188 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 3

References

Backlund, H.O. (1945). The wrack fauna of Sweden and Finland. Opuscula
Entolomologica Supplement V.

Dobson, T. (1974). Studies on the biology of the kelp-fly Coelopa in Great Britain.
Journal of Natural History 8: 155-77.

Egglishaw, H.J. (1960). Studies on the family Coelopidae (Diptera). Transactions Royal
Entomological Society, London 112: 109-140.

Phillips, D.S. & Arthur, W. (1994). Observations on the distribution of seaweed fly larvae
and other invertebrates within a wrack-bed. Entomologist 113: 154-63.

Phillips, D.S., Leggett, M., Wilcockson, R., Day, T.H. & Arthur, W. (1995). Coexistence of
competing species of seaweed flies: the role of temperature. Ecological Entomology 20:
05-74.

Pont, A.C. (1979). Sepsidae. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects Vol. X, Part
5 (c). Royal Entomological Society of London, London.

Rowell, M.J. (14905). A sexual dimorphism in the proventiculus of adults of Coelopa frigida
(Fabricius), with notes on a similar occurrence in C. pilipes (Haliday) (Diptera:
Coelopidae). Proceedings Royal Entomological Society, London (A)40: 109-73.

Sample type Wrack samples Vacuum samples

Date 14.7.95 16.7.95 20.7.95 8.9.95 16.9.95 26.10.95
Agel) are i)
C. frigida males
females
C. pilipes male
females
O. luctuosum males

females

Table 1: Summary of adult fly captures from wrack beds at Hartlepool.

A Grayling tree in the Ardeche, France, 1994

by Matthew Rowlings (9108)

87 School Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 SDL.

Passing through the fabulous scenic Gorges de l'Ardeche in central-
southern France one afternoon in August 1994 we had a few hours to
spare sO we stopped near the northerly end of the limestone gorge at
the Pont d'Arc. Mother and sister were both happy sunning themselves
on the popular beaches beside the Ardeche River. The Pont d'Arc itself
was a marvellous spectacle of natural engineering — a jagged limestone

H
1

tS] Volume 55 + August 1996 189

bridge over crystal clear waters. A very short distance to the south the
road dog-legs back on itself up a narrow valley. One side of this valley
was grassy scrub-land and my father and I saw this an an opportunity
for a walk with promising lepidopterous possibilities.

Parking at a nearby resort we walked the 30 seconds away from the
hustle and bustle of toursim to the quiet of our valley. The small stream
responsible for the cutting of the valley kept the riverside vegetation
green, but all other plants were suffering from dryness — the grasses
were thoroughly dried out. Life for animals was also difficult and
insects were not numerous. There were, however, a few isolated
patches favourable to the Common and Chalkhill blues (Polyommatus
icarus and Lysandra coridon).

Along our route we found three typically Mediterranean species that
were probably at the northern edge of their distributions. They were a
single Southern small white (Pieris mannii), a Southern gatekeeper
(Pyronia cecilia) and a Dusky heath (Coenonympha cecilia). The
dryness and heat of this limestone area may have allowed these
northerly incursions.

Our walk up the valley was prematurely ended by a fence that had
been driven across it. Several fierce dogs growled and barked at us
from the other side and successfully deterred us from proceeding. A
track led along the opposite side of the stream to a house to which the
fenced-off areas evidently belonged. The only way to continue up the
valley was along this track. The narrow band of flattish ground between
road and stream was cultivated but a healthy hedge grew up on one
side. Odd Graylings were disturbed from small fig trees dotted along
this hedge but they were so fast that they evaded capture. A couple of
trees grew opposite the hedge in a dampish patch of grass. The air
beneath the largest of these fig trees was particularly pleasant — cool,
still, shady. The odd fruit had fallen and begun rotting beneath it. It was
very nice just to stand there but we had to share it with the Graylings
that enjoyed the atmosphere like we did. The lichen-covered bark was
ideal cover for Graylings and the shade was what many browns look
for in such hot dry places. Four species of Grayling were concentrated
on this tree — a single Grayling (Hipparchia semele), 10+ Great banded

_ graylings (Brintesia circe), 3+ Striped graylings (Pseudotergumia fidia)
and 4+ Woodland graylings (1. fagi). They all rested on the trunk and

lower branches often in close proximity to one another. Occasionally
they would start flying together (some noise disturbance perhaps) but

~ usually there would be one or two circling a few times before settling
_ in a different part of the tree.

190 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

I have seen such a Grayling congregation once before, also in a hot
dry part of France. In the garden of a rural gite in the Dordogne were
several lichen-covered plum trees. In August the Graylings here were
the Great banded and Woodland graylings. The Dryad (Minois dryas)
was also involved. The fruits were very ripe and many plums had fallen
and begun rotting. These seemed an irresistible attraction for the above
species. There is, however, a difference between the Ardeche fig tree
and the Dordogne plum trees. None of the butterflies in the Ardeche
were interested in the rotting fruit. Perhaps the Ardeche butterflies had
filled up in the morning but I don't recall the Dordogne butterflies
being particular about what time of day they fed.

For whatever reason the Ardeche fig tree was a true “Grayling tree”
and would be a stimulating subject for a behavioural study.

Important Notice

The AES Exhibtion is free entry to all members
on production of pass enclosed with this Bulletin.
Please complete the details on the pass and bring it
to the exhibition.

THERE WILL BE NO FREE ADMISSION
WITHOUT THE PASS —
WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CHECK YOUR
RECORDS AT THE DOOR,
so please remember it!

a6 Volume 55 + August 1996

The collection of the late Ronald John Gooseman
of Bearsted, Kent

by Tim Newnham (4597)

7 Whitemans Close, Cuckfield, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH14 5DE.

I have recently acquired the above collection from the daughter of the
late Mr Gooseman who did not want to keep it but wanted it to go toa

fellow entomologist.

I, therefore, thought that the data from the collection would be of

interest to readers of the Bulletin.

Some of the specimens had deteriorated so much that it was

impossible to preserve them. These are as follows:

Name

Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus)
Adonis blue (Lysandra bellargus)
Adonis blue (Lysandra bellargus)
Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)
Dingy skipper (Erynnis tages)
Marbled white (V. galathea)

Those specimens which are preserved and now in my possession are

as follows:

Name

White admiral (Ladoga camilla)

Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

Peacock Unachis io)

Small tortoiseshell (Aglias urticae)

Large tortoiseshell (NV. polychloros)

Small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
Small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
Small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
Small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)
Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia)
Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia)
Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia)
Silver-washed fritillary (Argynnis paphia)

Where taken

Tonbridge, Kent

Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bude, Cornwall
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent

Where taken

Tonbridge, Kent
Tonbridge, Kent
Tonbridge, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
No data
Tonbridge, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Tonbridge, Kent
Tonbridge, Kent
Tonbridge, Kent
Tonbridge, Kent

Date

09.06.1950
29.05.1949
04.06.1950
1945
05.1949
1946

Date

14.07.1950
1949

1949

1947

1950

No data
07.1947
08.1949
08.1949
08.1949
08.1949
30.06.1950
06.07.1950
09.07.1949
19.07.1950

192 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society tL]

Comma (Polygonia c-album) Bearsted, Kent 1945
Comma (Polygonia c-album) Bearsted, Kent 1945
Comma (Polygonia c-album) Bearsted, Kent 1945
Comma (Polygonia c-album) Bearsted, Kent = 1945
Comma (Polygonia c-album

var. hutchinsoni) Tonbridge, Kent 09.07.1950
Duke of Burgundy frit. (Hamearis lucina) Bearsted, Kent 02.06.1951
Pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria euphrosyne) Tonbridge, Kent 08.06.1950
Pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria euphrosyne) Tonbridge, Kent 06.1949
Pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria euphrosyne) Tonbridge, Kent 06.1949
Pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria euphrosyne) Tonbridge, Kent 08.06.1950

Small pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria selene)
Small pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria selene)
Small pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria selene)
Small pearl-bordered frit. (Boloria selene)
Brown argus (Aricia agestis)

Chalk-hill blue (Lysandra coridon)
Holly blue (Celastrina argiolus)

Holly blue (Celastrina argiolus)

Large skipper (Ochlodes veratus)

Small skipper (Thymelicus flavus)

Small skipper (Thymelicus flavus)
Silver-spotted skipper (Hesperia comma)
Silver-spotted skipper (Hesperia comma)
Grizzled skipper (Pyrgus malvae)
Grizzled skipper (Pyrgus malvae)
Grizzled skipper (Pyrgus malvae)
Grizzled skipper (Pyrgus malvae)

Green hairsteak (Callophrys rubi)

Purple hairstreak (Quercus quercus)
Small blue (Cupido minimus)

Small blue (Cupido minimus)

Common blue (Polyommatus icarus)
Small white (Pieris rapae)

Small white (Pieris rapae)

Large white (Pieris brassicae)

Kynance Cove, C'wall 07.08.1949
Kynance Cove, C'wall 07.08.1949
Kynance Cove, C'wall 07.08.1949
Kynance Cove, C'wall 07.08.1949

Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Tonbridge, Kent
Bude, Cornwall
Bude, Cornwall
Bearsted, Kent
No data

No data
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
No data

No data

No data
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
Bearsted, Kent
No data

No data

1949
08.1947
1947
1947

~ 07.1950

1945

1947
No data
No data
08.1948
08.1948
05.1949
05.1949
05.1949
05.1949
05.1949
No data
No data
No data
No data

1947

1947
No data
No data
No data
No data

Volume 55

Green-veined white (Pieris napi)
Green-veined white (Pieris napi)
Green-veined white (Pieris napi)
Green-veined white (Pieris napi)
Green-veined white (Pieris napi)
Marbled white (Melanargia galathea)
Orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
Orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
Orange tip (Anthocharis cardamines)
Clouded yellow (Colias croceus)
Clouded yellow (Colias croceus)

Clouded yellow (Colias croceus var. helice) Newquay, Cornwall
Clouded yellow (Colias croceus var. helice) Newquay, Cornwall
Clouded yellow (Colias croceus var. helice) Newquay, Cornwall
Clouded yellow (Colias croceus var. helice) Newquay, Cornwall

Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni)
Speckled wood (Pararge aegeria)
Speckled wood (Pararge aegeria)
Black-veined white (Aporia crataegi)
Black-veined white (Aporia crataegi)
Grayling (Hipparchia semele)
Grayling (Hipparchia semele)
Grayling (Hipparchia semele)
Grayling (Hipparchia semele)
Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina)
Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina)
Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina)
Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina)
Wall (Lasiommata megera)

Wall (Lasiommata megera)
Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus)
Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus)
Painted lady (Cynthia cardui)
Painted lady (Cynthia cardui)

¢ August 1996

Bearsted, Kent 1947
Bearsted, Kent 1947
Bearsted, Kent 1947
Bearsted, Kent 1947
Tonbridge, Kent 09.05.1950
Bude, Cornwall 1946
Bearsted, Kent 1947
Bearsted, Kent 1947
Tonbridge, Kent 1950
Bearsted, Kent 08.1947
Newquay, Cornwall 08.1947

08.1947

08.1947
Bearsted, Kent 1949
Bearsted, Kent 1950
Bearsted, Kent 1950
Tonbridge, Kent 07.05.1950
Tonbridge, Kent 07.05.1950
Found in cabinet ?
Found in cabinet ?
Bearsted, Kent 08.1949
Bearsted, Kent 08.1949
Bearsted, Kent 08.1949
Bearsted, Kent 08.1949
Bearsted, Kent 08.1949
Bearsted, Kent 08.1949
Bearsted, Kent 08.1949
Bearsted, Kent 08.1949
Bearsted, Kent 08.1949
Bearsted, Kent 08.1949
Bude, Cornwall 08.1949
Mullion, Cornwall 08.1946
Bred 1949
Bred 1949

193

As can be seen from the above list the butterflies were very varied in
the 1940s and '50s around the Bearsted area and Mr Gooseman was
able to capture some rare and now extinct species, including the Large
tortoiseshell and several fritillaries and hairstreaks.

I hope this data is of interest to entomologists in the Bearsted area

and can be used to update any records that may be kept.

194 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

Notes on the reappearance of Lycaenid butterflies

by Ted Rimington (5269)

& Riverside Drive, Sprotbrough, Doncaster DN5 7LE.

I was interested to read Peter Tebbutt's note (Bull. Amat. Ent. Soc.
54:(402) October 1995) on the reappearance of the Brown argus (A.
agestis) at sites in Leicestershire. It reminds me of similar incidents
which I have experienced with this species and with the Lycaenids in
general.

My parents retired to Eastbourne in 1970 and I have since been in the
habit of paying regular visits to the district in late May and often in
August. I quickly learned of and visited many of the best local butterfly
sites including Ashdown Forest, Abbott's Wood, Beachy Head, Firle
Beacon and various other downland sites at and around Eastbourne. In
those days the fritillaries were regularly met with, the Adonis blue
(Lysandra bellargus) flew in plenty and the Silver-spotted skipper
(Hesperia comma) could also be found where today, sadly, nostalgia
has largely taken their place. I also visited Vert Wood (Laughton).

In 1983 this latter site remained both pleasant and fruitful and in that
year I recorded thirty-one species of butterflies — excluding migrants —
in two or three visits and also an excellent second brood of Small
pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene) in late July; for a northerner,
an unexpected pleasure. More interestingly, however, was the sudden
appearance of a healthy colony of agestis in early August of that year
in the wood, at a spot immediately adjacent to the crossroads near to
the old sawmill. This is an area that I have walked regularly over the
years and never have I seen the species there or anywhere else in the
wood before or since, although local lepidopterists may correct me on
that score. Nor did I confuse agestis with the Common. blue
(Polyommatus icarus) which in my experience is very rarely
encountered at Vert.

Interestingly, in August 1985 I observed several examples of the
butterfly at a restricted spot in Abbott's Wood, a locality which I had by
then visited many times without any sign of the species. Abbotts was
already in sad decline when I first knew it in 1970 due largely to the
activities of the Forestry Commission and my visits in recent years have,
therefore, become irregular. In any event I have never seen agestis
there since. Small wonder the decline, I once spoke to a Head Forester
in Abbotts who replied to my protestations of vandalism, “we would

plant cabbages here if it paid”.

34 Volume 55 + August 1996 195

The impact of the Vert sightings on me was quite startling and
though less dramatic, reminded me of the oft quoted account by J.F.
Stephens of the explosive appearance and just as sudden disappearance
in 1827 of the White-letter hairstreak (S. w-album) at Ripley in Surrey
Cllustrations of British Entomology Vol. 1): “. . . lit] exceeded anything
of the kind J have ever witnessed .. .”.

This sort of behaviour by Lycaenids — though rarely so extreme as in
Stephen's account — is not unusual and is well known to lepidopterists.
It is characterised by rapid and unexpected population fluctuation in
known colonies and the real or apparent emergence of new colonies,
occasionally in startling profusion. The effect is usually more impressive
when it Occurs with naturally secretive species such as the hairstreaks
which may also be present at low density and, therefore, unrecorded. I
recall a most dramatic population explosion of w-a/bum at a Doncaster
site — again in 1983 — while in 1991, after many years of virtual absence,
the Holly blue (C. argiolus) took off here only to collapse into obscurity
again wits the summer brood of 1993. Yet again in 1983, the Green
hairstreak (C. rubi) was recorded for the first time ever at Thorne Moors
(Doncaster), an internationally famous site worked by naturalists for
two hundred years or more. I suspect that the butterfly has always been
there but that the activities of the peat cutters in recent years have
rendered spots of the moor now more suitable than previously. Neither
are more mundane Lycaenids immune. I have seen healthy colonies of
the Small copper (1. phlaeas) seemingly disappear temporarily while
nearby colonies continue to thrive oblivious an second broods of icarus
apparently go missing causing the unwary to declare the species locally
single-brooded. I think we have all seen similar incidents.

As to the foodplant, Vert wood is heavy and common rock-rose (77.
nummularium) is absent. To my discredit I did not search diligently for
common —storksbill CE. cicutarium) but noted herb’ robert (G.
robertianum). However, as George Thomson says in his superb book,
The Butterflies of Scotland, much work requires to be done on the
relationship of artaxerxes to its foodplants and, therefore, of course
agestis also.

Mr Tebbutt has a nice little project to hand — if the colonies will hang
around long enough for him to complete it.

Published 20th August 1996 by the Amateur Entomologists’ Society
(Registered Charity No. 267430), from PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG.

COMING SOON TO THE AES...

THE ALS

The insect society for young entomologists

Membership includes a regular newsletter,
field trips, competitions and much more!

For more details, please write, enclosing a SAE to:

Kieren Pitts, AES Bug Club,
PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG

or see the AES Bug Club stand at the
Annual Exhibtion
at Kempton Park Racecourse
on Saturday 5th October.

BIRTHDAY PRESENT PROBLEMS? = “eat ard No. Pa ie
Why not give a years subscription to
Country-side and membership of the

BRITISH NATURALISTS'
ASSOCIATION

Hon. President: LORD SKELMERSDALE Address

Hon. President of the Youth Section: DAVID

BELLAMY BSc., PhD, FLS FIBiol.

The BNA is a national body for naturalists and offers:-

e@ Field Activities for everyone

Lectures
Branch programmes throughout the country
Journal COUNTRY-SIDE
Field trips in the UK and abroad SUBSCRIPTION RATES
Natural history publications endorsed by the BNA
at reduced prices for members Ordinary members
Insurance cover on branch and national activities (or if entitled to a state Retirement Pension .. £10.00 p.a.)
Blake Shield annual competition for young people

Free Pack of WILDLIFE Notelets for every
new subscription

! Youth members

Family members
§ (In which there is at least 1 ordinary member .. . £3.00 p.a.

If you are interested in WILDLIFE, NATURAL HISTORY, (per family) |
CONSERVATION — Send your subscription with the AFFILIATED BODIES - Particularly suitable |
coupon on the right to: for School Natural History Societies and |

BNA, 48 Russell Way, Higham Ferrers, Biology Departments
Northants NN9 8EJ (small addition for Branch Membership)

NEW PUBLICATION FROM
THE BRITISH ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

BRITISH HOVERFLIES: Second supplement
by Alan E. Stubbs

Paperback (ISBN: 1-899935-02-9) £6 +P&P £0.50 (overseas £1.00)

Send cheque made out to “Brit. Ent. Nat. Hist. Soc.” with order to: BENHS Sales Secretary, G.
Boyd, 17 Gainsborough Close, Cambridge CB4 ISY.

|
THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY |

ANNUAL EXHIBITION, 1996
Saturday, 5th October
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

KEMPTON PARK RACECOURSE,
STAINES ROAD, SUNBURY, MIDDX.

| Railway Station with trains from Waterloo, is a short walk away. The
site is served by two bus routes, Green Line No. 290, and Red bus No.
216. Both these buses stop right outside.

ADMISSION: Members free on production of pass to be issued with
the August Bulletin. Non-members £1.00, under 16s 50p.

| PARKING: in the free car parks only NOT outside the Grandstand.
Keep all entrances clear.

EXHIBITORS AND DEALERS ONLY will be admitted between 8 am
and 11 am.

TROLLEYS are not provided and provision should be made for heavy
loads.

ENTOMOLOGICAL DEALERS are attending.

REFRESHMENTS: Full facilities are available. All food and drink to be
consumed in the Refreshment Area.

SURPLUS MATERIAL: will be welcome for sale on behalf of the
Society's funds.

ANSORGE BEQUEST: Cash prizes and certificates to Junior Members
for exhibits at the Exhibition.

LIVESTOCK: It is the duty of both dealers and buyers to ensure that all
livestock is kept in containers which are roomy, hygienic and secure
against any possible escape.

EXHIBITS which show long series of wild-caught, rare or endangered
species will not be allowed.

ALL ENQUIRIES: |
The AES, PO Box 8774, London SW7 52ZG.

LUNI bb zy Moy AUNGaV)

~ rr}

Qu A3S1Y3HO |

a4 HAMMERSMITH

BH CENTRAL gS
A CONDON ff ake

HOUNSLOW

PARK .
RACECOWRSE &
XHIBITION GENTRE

@ WIMBLEDON

Kempton Y/
park YY yy»
B\ RACECouRse BYyy

Bulletin

of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society

CONTENTS

C. Raper. Unusual/Rare species seen in South Oxfordshire. ................escesseeeseeseeeeees
M. Rowlings. Cruel death for Peck’s skipper while the Harvester is collected nearby.

Cheesequake State Park, New Jersey, USA. 10th August 1995. ...........-.2::.-eseeeeceseee
R. Parker. Pieris mannii and other animals on Corfu in May 1995. ..........:cesseeeeeeeeeees
S. Hodge. The occurrence of seaweed flies (Dipter: Coelopidae) at Hartlepool. ........
M. Rowlings. A Grayling tree in the Ardesche, France, 1994. .........----:.::sscceeceeeeeeeeeees
T. Newnham. The collection of the late Ronald John Gooseman of Bearsted, Kent. .

Short Communications
¥: Morton. The Small white in-Australia. 2.0 2
A. Emmerson. Out of season. TOmnMmeOiG. i i522. .-2e.cecees doce ee
M. Rowlings. Inter-generic COUrSIIP <2: 2.2 -c2e 2a eon ceec sen ee
M. Pickup. Some observations on the pairing and egg-laying habits of the Saturniid
moth Dictyoploca’simla Westwood. <2...
R. Gunnell. Red admirals and washing lines — part 2. ............:cesceeseeeseeseeeseeseeeseereeeees
D. Madin. Red admirals and washing lines — part 3. ............sessescescesceseseeseesceseeeeeeeeeees
T. Rimington. Notes on the reappearance of Lycaenid butterflies. ...............seeee

Exhibition Report for 1995... ooo. <.-n.-sacsnseoce cots es acu can csteccnen ote aoe eee

Book Review

— Insects & flowers: A biological partnership ...........:.:c1:c1ssseseeseeeees

Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. Ltd., 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA.
e

143

168
175
186
188
191

167
170
174

184
185
185
194

146

Bulleti

4 Entomo log
xe ‘Se,

>
S
Ne
v
<=
=

Founded in 1935

Where to write
For all Society business, please write to:
AES

PO. Box 8774
London SW7 5ZG

Officers of the Society

President: — Richard Jones
Secretary: | Wayne Jarvis
Treasurer: | Andrew Locke
Registrar: | Nick Holford
Bulletin Editor: | Wayne Jarvis
General Editor: Mike Bonsall
Advertising Secretary: Rob Dyke

Exhibitions & Meetings Secretary:
Youth Secretary:

ICN Editor:

Wants & Exchange:

Habitat Conservation Officer:

Maxwell Barclay
Darren Mann
David Lonsdale
Caroline Willmot

Martin Harvey

First subscription (including entrance fee) £12, or £8 under
18. Renewals £10 or £6 under 18. Overseas members £12.
Family membership £15 (Includes Bulletin and Bug Club).
Overseas Family membership £17.

Subcription due by the 1st January each year.

Subscriptions:

The following charges apply to adverts in the body of the
Bulletin. Full page £60, Half page £40, Quarter page £25.
Insert charges available on request to Advertising Secretary,
address as above.

Advertising Rate:

NOTICE
It is to be distinctly understood that all views, opinions, or theories, expressed in the pages of this Journal are solely
those of the author(s) concerned. All announcements of meetings, financial grants offered or sought, requests for help or
information, are accepted as bona fide. Neither the Editor, the Officers and Council of the Society, nor its Trustees, can
be held responsible for any loss, embarrassment or injury that might be sustained by reliance thereon.

Worldwide Butterflies

Colour

Catalogue
of livestock
ee =a specimens and

mere ) < equipment.

Please mention
AES.
50p in stamps
would be greatly
appreciated.

118 Sito » g ALSO
<< oF : on request,
Specialist

Catalogues of
British, European
and Exotic
set and papered
specimens

|“ Worldlife

Registered charity

LAV
At Compton House, Nr. Sherborne, Worldlife
has evolved from Worldwide Butterflies.
As well as magnificent butterfly displays,
conservation organisations are showing what
is being done for the environment, and
how all can become involved.

Situated on A30 Yeovil-Sherborne Road.
Open daily Apr-Sep. Tel 01935 74608

BEE
RESEARCH
ASSOCIATION

18 NORTH ROAD
CARDIFF
CF1 3DY

For Scientific and Technical
information on Bees (Apoidea)

especially Honeybees (ApisSP).

Please write to the above address for

details of publications and membership.

A specimen copy of “Bee World” is
obtainable for SOp.

A Natural History Tour to
Tien Shan

The Union of Hunters of Kyrghyzstan is pleased to
inform you that we are organising individual and
group tours for naturalists to Tien Shan Mountains.

All enthusiasts of wildlife travels, video
hunters, botanists, ornithologists and
entomologists are welcome.

Join us for two weeks in July
or an entomological expedition to the
Kokshaal-Too range.

This range on the border of China, was closed
from any visitors for many years.

You'll see a Wildlife Terra Incognita!

Package includes: collecting permits,
accommodation, cars (helicopter if required),
translators, cooks, guides and more.

For further Information, please write to:

The Manager
Yuri Berezhnoi
Union of Hunters of Kyrghyzstan
PO 29, VORONEZH
394029, RUSSIA

ENTOMOLOGIST’S GAZETTE

A Quarterly Journal of Palaearctic Entomology.

[Illustrated and covering all groups of Insects.

Includes Book Reviews on a World-wide basis.

Current Annual Subscription £20 (US$45.00)

A sample copy can be sent on request from the publishers:

GEM PUBLISHING CO.

Brightwood, Bell Lane, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell,

Wallingford, Oxon OX10 OQD.

E.W. CLASSEY LTD

ENTOMOLOGICAL BOOKS BY MAIL SINCE 1949

Antiquarian, second-hand and New books
Special offers and forthcoming book news
Booksearch service. Please send your “wants” list
Regular free catalogues and specialist lists

Books bought

Valuations

Oxford House,

Marlborough Street,
Faringdon,

Oxon SN7 7DR UK

Tel. 01367 244700 ‘Fax. 01367 244800

Our Faringdon shop has a large stock of Entomological & Natural History books and prints

The Cutting Edge!

At Cravitz Printing we employ the latest technology to SUGBORER
ensure a quality catch — every time!

Please phone, fax or write to find out how Cravitz can
improve YOUR image.

Wildlife
WATCH OVER /rust

PRINTING
COMPANY LIMITED

1 Tower Hill,
Brentwood,
Essex CM14 4TA.

Tel: (01277) 224610
Fax: (01277) 262815

COMING SOON TO THE AES..

ThE AES

The insect society for young entomologists

Membership includes a regular newsletter,
field trips, competitions and much more!

For more details, please write, enclosing a SAE to:
Kieren Pitts. AES Bug Club.
PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG

Br he ee
ulletin n=

of Bi Amateur Entormologists’ Society

of the Amateur Entom

Volume 55 ¢ Number 407 October 1996

Editorial

The trade of insects, both livestock and deadstock, continues to raise
controversy in the Society. The AES Insect List, comprising species
listed on recognised conservation lists, produced a variety of responses
from interested parties. On one hand, members were applauding the
Society for introducing measures which would help to aid the
conservation status of amateurs, on the other we had members
questioning what we were intending to achieve, other than to threaten
the Society’s future.

The range of views that were received made it clear that before the
Society implemented any form of policy on the trade of invertebrates,
all affected parties must be given the opportunity to express their
views. This therefore meant that the policy was withdrawn for the 1996
exhibition and traders were informed of this prior to the event, the
POlicvestevcrine— aS in - previous years, to the rules of trade in
invertebrates issued by the DoE.

Council therefore urges all members and other interested parties to
comment on the future trading policy in invertebrates to the AES
Trading Policy, PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG by 31st January 1997.
This will then allow the Council to consider all views and implement its
policy by the end of April 1997.

The exhibition itself was once again a success. Well over 1000 people
attended the event, a high proportion of which were members, and the
usual variety of stalls were in attendance. A big thankyou to all who
took part in the event.

The membership of the Society is increasing daily with the arrival of
the AES Bug Club next year. Membership of the new branch of the
Society is £6.00 per year and those who wish to subscribe to both the
Bug Club and the Bulletin pay the new family membership rate of
£15.00. An overseas rate is available on application. We are looking to
launch this exciting new part of the Society in a grand way, so watch

| this space for more details.

198 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ee

Monographia Rhapalocerorum Sinensium by

Prof. Dr Chou Io and 50 other Chinese Lepidopterists.
22x30cm, Clothbound, 2 volumes (August 1994), 910 pages with more
than 5000 coloured photographs. Published by Ilenan Press of Science
and Technology, Henan, China. ISBN 7-5349-1199-1200/S.325. Price
(including surface postage and packing) US $500.

This is the first complete monograph of the Chinese butterflies
(including Taiwan and Hong Kong) dealing with 12 families, 367
genera, 1227 species and 64 species which are reported from China for
the first time. All the species and subspecies are illustrated with
coloured photographs of either or both sexes. More than 90 per cent
described species of Chinese butterflies can be identified by using this
book. The 41 new species and 44 new subspecies are provided with
English descriptions and illustrations of their wing patterns and/or male
genitalia, as well as coloured photographs.

Please send your order and cheque to: The Bank of China Shaanxi
Branch, Xian, Miss Jingruo Zhou, Entomological Museum, North-
western Agricultural University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China, 712100.

THE AES

‘ Merchandise
The following items are available from the AES Bug Club stand today at the following prices:
PENS 35p WINDOW STICKERS S80p
BUG CLUB BUGS 50p BADGES 30p
Alternatively send a self addressed envelope and 38p in stamps to:
AES BUG CLUB, PO BOX 8774, LONDON SW5 5ZG

od Volume 55 «* October 1996 199

Observations on Microplitis ocellatae, Bouché (Braconidae:
Microgastrinae), a gregarious endoparasitoid of the
Poplar hawkmoth caterpillar, Laothoe populi Linn.

by Hewett A. Ellis (9940)

16 Southlands, Tynemouth, North Shields NE3O 2QS.

Introduction

Part of my work with the red-spotted form of the Poplar hawkmoth
caterpillar (Ellis, 1993; 1995) has involved the rearing of stock collected
from the wild. In several seasons some of the caterpillars from Preston
Cemetery, North Shields, have proved to be parasitised by a
hymenopterid (braconid). The purpose of this communication is to
describe and illustrate some of the features and behaviour of the
parasitoid, which has been identified by Dr Mark Shaw of The Royal
Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, as Microplitis ocellatae Bouché
(Braconidae: Microgastrinae). The term “parasitoid” is applied here in
preference to the more usual “parasite” since the host is eventually
killed (Shaw & Askew, 1976; Shaw, 1990).

M. ocellatae is also known to parasitise caterpillars of the Eyed
hawkmoth (Smerinthus ocellata L.) and Lime hawkmoth (Mimas tiliae
L.), but neither of these moths has been recorded in north-east England
in recent years (Dunn & Parrack, 1986) and I have no_ personal
experience of their parasitisation. The present observations are based
on caterpillars collected from poplar trees in Preston Cemetery during
1992, 1994 and 1995 and which subsequently were fed on poplar or
willow leaves.

Life history of M. ocellatae

I have not witnessed ovipositing but the female M. ocellatae inserts up
to several dozen ova through one or possibly more than one site in the
cuticle of the caterpillar. At first the caterpillars appear normal, but in
the autumn, when approaching maturity, they become less active and
cease to feed. The multiple parasitoid larvae are internal feeders
(endoparasitoids) and as they reach maturity their presence is
sometimes indicated by local pallor and swellings which undergo
writhing movements. Both yellow-green and blue-green colour forms of
the caterpillar may be parasitised. Having completed its growth each
parasitoid larva emerges through a separate hole in the cuticle of the
caterpillar. Most emerge more or less at the same time from any one
caterpillar and are crowded on the surface (Plate 96Q, Fig. 1).

200 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ad

Emergence occurs mainly in the last week of August, but in the case of
two caterpillars collected late in the 1995 season (17th September) this
did not occur until 2nd and 5th October respectively. The larvae are
moist and shiny, pale grey-coloured and maggot-like with recognisable
segments outlined in black and with a dark dorsal longitudinal line.
Without further feeding each rapidly spins a buff-coloured cocoon of
glistening fine silk threads. These are attached to the carcass of the
unfortunate caterpillar and form a contiguous mass or several masses of
individual cocoons projecting from it (Plate 96Q, Fig. 2). The cocoons
are very tough and some show a slight longitudinal surface ridging. The
caterpillar may remain alive for 24 to 48 hours after emergence of the
parasitoid larvae and moves if disturbed. In those which I have
observed in captivity the parasitoid larvae have emerged at a time when
the host caterpillar still clung to the foodplant and had not undergone
the colour change or become moist as it usually does in preparation for
pupation in the soil. Eventually the caterpillar shrinks and mummifies
and the attached surrounding cocoons persist overwinter.

The adult parasitoids emerge from the cocoons the following late
spring and early summer. In captivity indoors I have found the adults to
commence emerging as early as 8th April (1995) with 31 individuals
from one caterpillar continuing to emerge until mid-May. On another
occasion adult parasitoids comprising a brood of 36 from one caterpillar
did not commence emerging until 17th May (1993). Greater numbers
sometimes occur, for example, there were 51 and 53 parasitoids,
respectively, in two caterpillars collected in September 1995, and these
started to emerge as adults 20th May 1996.

Although a few species of hymenopterans overwinter as adults in the
cocoon most do so as pre-pupae and the actual pupal and pre-
emergent adult phase is short-lived (Shaw, 1995, pers. comm.). I have
opened several cocoons of M. ocellatae in early springtime and found
what I take to be pre-pupae and not overwintering adults. The adult
parasitoid remains in the cocoon and extends its wings prior to
emergence. An exit is achieved by making a complete circular cut
through the main cocoon wall towards one end and pushing aside the
pole which frequently remains hinged by a few outermost silken
threads. The exit hole measures 1.4 to 1.5mm in diameter (overall the
cocoon measures 5.5mm long and 2.5mm in widest diameter). Each
cocoon, after emergence, can be seen to have a smooth and _ shiny
lining and to contain shrivelled larval exuviae and some tiny nodules of
cream-coloured material which is presumably meconium. Further

1 Volume 55 * October 1996 201

similar meconium is excreted by the adult after emergence. One
individual adult was observed to have emerged from its cocoon with
the exuviae firmly caught in a hind leg tarsus. The exit holes in any one
aggregate of cocoons are often at the same poles of neighbouring
cocoons giving rise to a honeycomb appearance, but this is not
invariable and sometimes holes occur at opposite poles of immediately
adjacent cocoons.

The adult parasitoids are small (forewings each 4.5mm long; body
length 3.7mm; antennae each 4mm), dark insects with characteristic
braconid wing venation. The head capsule, antennae, thorax and
abdomen (shiny) are black as are the coxae and hind leg tarsi, the
remainder of the legs being golden brown (Plate 96R, Fig. 3).

Synchrony of life cycles of parasitoid and host

The observed timing of the emergence of the adult parasitoid indicates
that M. ocellatae is univoltine and this is in synchrony with the
univoltine life cycle of local Poplar hawkmoths. The tough parasitoid
cocoon is eminently suited to provide long-term protection overwinter.
In the absence of the Eyed and Lime hawkmoths I assume that the
Poplar hawkmoth is the sole host for M. ocellatae in this locality. Like
others of the Microplitis genus M. ocellatae is a haemolymph feeder.
Being gregarious and with so many larvae per brood a large caterpillar
is more or less a necessity.

Parasitoid overwintering strategem

Some comment is necessary regarding the location of the parasitoid
cocoons overwinter. As described above, in captivity, the cocoons are
formed attached to the host caterpillar whilst it is still on the foodplant
and this pattern also occurs in the wild. Thus Dr Shaw (1995, pers.
comm.) informs me that he has received broods collected as cocoons
with dead L. populi host caterpillars on trees. This is an exposed
situation and although the cocoons are tough, their chances of survival
would be improved if they overwintered in leaf litter or below ground.
Possibly in the wild the host carcass with attached cocoons at sometime
falls to the ground and is protected overwinter amongst the leaf litter.
Other times it seems that M. ocellatae larvae form their cocoons in the
soil within what appears to have been a pupation chamber prepared by
the host, but I have not personally witnessed this latter type of
behaviour.

202 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society t

Effects of parasitoid on the Poplar hawkmoth population

Clearly the presence of M. ocellatae must have some impact on the
dynamics of the local Poplar hawkmoth population. The nature of the
present observations does not permit an assessment of the degree of
this impact. Indeed the apparent frequency of parasitisation may itself
be misleading. Thus the parasitised host caterpillars are slower than
normal to develop and any degree of parasitisation observed towards
the end of the season may be spuriously exaggerated since unknown
numbers of healthy caterpillars have already gone to earth to pupate.

Summary

M. ocellatae is a regular gregarious larval endoparasitoid of the Poplar
hawkmoth in Preston Cemetery, North Shields. It is univoltine in
synchrony with the life history of local Poplar hawkmoths and
Overwinters in the immature state within the protection of a tough
cocoon.

Acknowledgement
I am grateful to Dr Mark Shaw for his help and encouragement and for
the determination of the parasitoid Microplitis ocellatae.

References

Dunn, T.C. & Parrack, J.D. (1986). The Moths and Butterflies of Northumberland and
Durham, Pari 1 Macrolepidopiera. The Vasculum, Supplement No. 2. pp. 122-123. The
Norther Naturalists Union, Houghton-le Spring.

Ellis, H.A. (1993). Observations on the red-spotted form of the larva of the Poplar
hawkmoth, Laiboe populi Linn. The Vasculum, 783): 32-50.

— , (1995). The red-spotted form of the Poplar hawkmoth larva. Bulletin of the Amateur
Entomologists’ Society, $4: 11-13.

Shaw, M.R. (1990). Parasitoids of European butterflies and their study. In: Butterflies of
Europe Vol. 2, Introduction to Lepidopterology, Ed. O. Kudrna. Aula-Verlag, Wiesbaden.
pp. 449-479.

Shaw, M.R. & Askew, R.R. (1976). Parasites. In: The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain
and Ireland Vol. 1. pp. 24-50. Ed. J. Heath, Harley Books, Essex.

en eran

be Volume 55 + October 1996 203

Alleged overcollecting: could we have evidence and
understanding please?

by Brian Gardiner (225)

2 Highfield Avenue, Cambridge CB4 2AL.

I see from the latest proposals regarding changes to the Wildlife and
Countryside Acts concerning species considered to be endangered, that
although habitat destruction or degradation due to natural causes is
clearly the main concern, allegations are made that collecting is also a
problem and for a few species trade in them is considered to be a
serious threat. I think by now we are all aware that a successful
prosecution was brought against two individuals, one of whom was
found guilty of offering for sale 14 wild-caught specimens of the
Chequered skipper (Carterocephalus palaemon) which was an offence
under the Act, although catching them was not. The second individual
was found guilty of the same offence, but got off more lightly as he had
bought some specimens in good faith believing them to have been
legally bred by the first. While these two individuals were prosecuted
no action whatsoever was taken against the individuals or firms who,
on English Nature's own admission in their Annual Report, damaged
over 100 of our finest wildlife SSSI sites. We have, therefore, insofar as I
am aware, only a single publicised example in Great Britain of the
illegal offering for sale of an endangered species. I have not come
across any instance of a successful prosecution for the collecting of an
endangered species nor has action been taken against the far more
destructive activity of destroying a habitat and killing the species in it. It
appears you may kill with impunity provided you do not retain the
bodies and offer them for sale! On the other hand there is only
suggestion, inuendo and rumour, which may or may not be true, and
which some individuals like to think is happening on a large scale, that
considerable collecting of rare and endangered species occurs. I would
like to see published some concrete evidence that could stand up in a
court of law (witnesses, photographs perhaps) from the people and
organisations that are quoting collecting as being a danger to scarce
species, although I do appreciate that without monitors or undercover
agents such evidence may well be difficult to come by. I see on
television and read in the press accounts of the illegal collecting and
trade in birds and their eggs, mammals and plants. The only successful
prosecutions that I have come across for illegally collecting and trading
invertebrates has been in the United States where a small fine and

204 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ee

community service was the punishment for collecting and selling
protected butterflies, but a nine-year prison sentence for smuggling and
dealing in rather a large number of the spider Brachypelma smithi (All
Brachypelma species are now added to CITES Appendix II). I have not
yet come across accounts of other illegal collecting of insects or other
invertebrates, but have seen reports about the apparently legal damage
that is being done in the Philippines by overcollecting of shells and of
sea cucumbers off the Galapagos islands. The illegal catching of wild
birds and their eggs is also well publicised and prosecutions have been
brought for illegally digging up wild plants, mainly bulbs.

Quite frankly it really puzzles me that, for the Marsh fritillary
(Eurodryas aurina), while loss of unimproved grassland is the main
threat “collection also poses a serious threat” and for the Large copper
(Lycaena dispar) “collecting at the single release site (Woodwalton Fen)
is a problem.” CU understand that the fritillary is really being put on
because of its place on the Berne Convention, reflecting its serious
decline in Europe.) The coppers have been on the Fen since 1923, so
either they have successfully resisted collecting for threequarters of a
century, or the collecting of them is a very recent problem and, if so,
who has witnessed it and why have we not had a statement from
English Nature (Manager of the Fens) or other responsible body,
published in the Entomological press asking for it to cease? If, as I have
been informed, the inclusion is to “protect” a new attempt at re-
introduction elsewhere, then why should the coppers elsewhere be in
any more danger than they have been formerly on Wicken and
Woodwalton Fens? Since I have known both the Fens and their
wardens for nigh on fifty years, I can state that collecting has never
been a problem during that time. Unsubstantiated allegations do no
credit to the conservation cause. Frankly, I do not believe collecting has
ever been a threat.

Until recently the stock on the Fen was re-inforced for many years by
the assiduousness of the wardens in maintaining a captive bred stock
for this purpose. In any case, why, I ask myself, does anyone go and
collect either of these species, for both of them are exceptionally easy
to breed and are readily available from those that do so? The late Peter
Cribb maintained a colony of the Marsh fritillary for nearly forty years,
giving away many thousands to anyone who requested some. The
Large copper too is now widely bred in captivity. The economics of
collecting for sale of either species is absurd and would nowhere near
cover the cost of collecting them. Having seen a film of a Large copper

being caught, not by a collector, but by a reed bunting (Emberiza
schoeniclus) who then fed it to its parasitic nestling, a cuckoo (Cuculus
canorus), | wonder who are the real culprits in catching coppers and
how many more went into that ravenous beak. I have also witnessed
birds catching more butterflies in an hour than I could hope to catch in
a day and this does rather put human collecting into its proper
perspective. Indeed a collector or two charging around after butterflies
is likely to scare off the birds after the same prey. Even Steven's!

It may be that butterflies were once so prolific in the tropics that it
was more economical to catch them than to rear them in the past, but I
am now reliably informed that in many cases this is no longer so, due to
greatly increased demand, and species such as Morphos are now reared
using artificial diets and many of the butterflies now to be seen in the
butterfly houses are being reared in quantity in countries such as
Malaysia. In Papua New Guinea rearing Birdwing butterflies for sale is a
cottage industry actively promoted by the Government. Surely for rare
endangered species such activity should be encouraged here. That
successful breeding can destroy the rapacious dealer from catching for
profit is perhaps best exemplified by the case of the Clifden non-pareil
(Catocala fraxini). In the 1930s genuine English specimens changed
hands for £5 (two to three weeks wages for many!). In the 1950s it was
successfully bred in its thousands causing a complete price collapse and
indeed I and others could hardly give them away when we had them.
The present going rate for them is the equivalent of the 1930s 2/- (10p!).

Between about 1925 to 1950 the Swallowtails (Papilio machaon) on
Wicken Fen were rationed and permits were given to catch six
specimens only (of any or mixed stages) and the Large coppers were
not to be taken at all. Since collectors were therefore being put on their
honour — there were no checks — I believe these restrictions were
scrupulously observed. It was not collecting but the wartime ploughing
and drainage — pure “habitat destruction” — that put paid to their
existence on the Fen. Since there will always be those who must “catch
it myself”, I do wonder whether the introduction of a “permit” system
for certain rare species, which would seem capable of withstanding a
slight loss might not be an advantage, as this would again put people
“on their honour” not to exceed their quota. The fact that a population
on such a small area as Wicken Fen could sustain a limited loss to
collectors for so many years is surely an argument that other species,
which may be even more widespread, could equally sustain limited
collection and while one can never overlook the fact that there might

206 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Qed?

be rogue collectors around, the majority will respect a limited permit
system, for, after all, it is in all our interests to make sure that over-
collecting does not take place and exterminate the species we wish to
see there in the future and as in the piscatorial industry where permits
and “rationing” is in place this is in the main strictly observed and does
more to conserve stocks than restrictive legislation. The well-publicised
Code of Insect Collecting may be followed by some but it is only a
“code” whereas “permit” implies an obligatory restriction on how many
specimens may be taken and is far more likely to be observed. Just
who is to issue them remains a problem. Perhaps the landowner (from
whom permission to collect on his land must be sought in any case)
would be the best person, but this arrangement might be better
organised by such responsible bodies as English Nature or the Local
Wildlife Trust.

I am informed that collectors descend on new arrivals or newly
discovered species and, in the case of the Scarce chocolate tip moth
(Clostera anachoreta) may have wiped out the new arrival. At the risk
of being heretical I would ask if this really matters. Not all species that
arrive can, for whatever reason, be expected to survive and spread. We
have, however, (see below) gained far more species than we have lost
and, in spite of collectors, new arrivals such as the Varied coronet
(Hadena compta), the Perlucid pearl (Phlyctaenia perlucidalis) and the
Saxifrage plume (Stenoptilia saxifragae) have spread and become
relatively common over a wide area.

A number of species are known to be very localised. In particular
both the Marbled green (Cryphia muralis impar) which only occurs in
Cambridge and the Silver barred (Deltote bankiana), a pretty and
sought-after moth, which occurs mainly on two Cambridgeshire fens
where it has been assiduously collected for over a century and yet
remains common on the fens. A clear case of species being able to
sustain collection pressure. Why? We need research to be done on the
reasons when on the same fens the Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar),
the Reed tussock (Laelia coenosa), and the Rosy marsh moth (Eugraphe
subrosea) became extinct and in no way was this due to collecting and
nor would legislation have prevented it. Early this century the Black-
veined white (Aporia crataegi) became extinct, almost certainly due to
use of insecticides on hops. The reason the Large blue CVaculinea
arion) became extinct is without doubt due to myxamatosis in rabbits
which so reduced the grazing of its habitats that they became
unsuitable to sustain the ants on which its life-cycle depended. That the

a Volume 55 + October 1996 207

Large tortoiseshell (Nymphalis polychloros) also recently declared
probably extinct, became so is most likely due to either habitat or
climatic change. It was on the edge of its range and it is interesting that
while it was in decline its relative Nymphalis xanthomelas was steadily
extending its range from Russia to France: how nice it would be if it
became established in Great Britain (it is already bred here and reports
of sightings are likely to have been due to escapees). In no way were
collectors to blame for any of the above three extinctions and this
makes me wonder if passing legislation will in any way prevent future
losses.

I also believe that the inclusion of the Swallowtail in the original
Wildlife and Countryside Act, as a “Flagship” species so I understand,
(“. . sneaked on apparently because it is pretty and MPs have heard of
it.”) not because it was in any real danger, was a serious physiological
error, as it not only put many people’s backs up against the Act, but
resulted, due to the confusion and misunderstanding concerning
captive breeding, in the destruction of many thousand specimens that
were then being reared in captivity. I also believe that the “collector” is
considered to be a soft target who can be blamed for causing
extinctions, whereas the landowners of the habitats are hard nuts with
influence. When the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 was
proposed and passed into law, while professionals and perhaps a few
individuals of organisations and such as the JCCBI and various
appropriate Societies were consulted, this was in the main to their
appointed representatives and little or no opportunity was given to the
multitude of amateur entomologists to express their views, nor has any
such consultation, until very recently, been made possible since by
widely publicising proposed changes to the Act.

It is my opinion that greater regard and understanding would be
given to collecting restrictions if much fuller publicity were given in the
entomological press as to which species were becoming, or were likely
to become, endangered together with stated reasons, based on sound
research data, as to why I, for instance, as the editor of two
entomological journals never received any Official notification of the
details of the proposed original Act, nor of proposed changes to it
since, so that they could be published and the views of the readers
sought, although of course I did hear of and receive unofficial and
unconfirmed reports. It was not, of course, until some years after the
1981 Act that reports and explanations of it were published and the
British Red Data Book 2: Insects was published by the Nature

208 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society pe

Conservancy Council in 1987. It is, after all the thousands of amateur
entomologists, collectors to a man or woman in the past who have
been responsible for our present knowledge of both the species that
occur and their distribution; not the legislators who seem determined to
stamp out further recording.

It is not easy unless perhaps one is an avid reader with access to a
library (or subscribes to a couple of dozen publications!) to find out the
present state of play concerning potentially endangered species. I had
no idea until the recent proposed changes, that either the Stag beetle
(Lucanus cervus), which I have always regarded as common, nor the
Fiery clearwing (Bembecia chrysidiformis), also common even though
in a restricted area, were endangered. For the Siag beetle I understand
its inclusion is due to its sharp decline, like the Marsh fritillary, on the
continent, leaving Britain as its major stronghold. For the Fiery
clearwing it is of course the advent of the Channel Tunnel and its
associated roadworks between Cheriton and Dover combined with the
degradation of Folkestone Warren that is responsible for its being
endangered, not collecting which it was well able to withstand. I have
seen it stated that removal of its foodplants is a threat. Such removal is
already illegal (unless the landowner's permission has first been
sought). While there is clear evidence that some of its foodplants have
been dug up, there is no published evidence that this was by
entomologists, since plant collectors could be just as blameworthy. I
completely fail to see how making the collecting of the moth also
illegal will solve the situation unless the law can be strictly enforced by
having the habitat under constant police surveillance (security cameras
installed?). An unlikely scenario! However, I am _ informed that
conservation measures are now being taken to restore the habitat to
make it suitable for the active spread of its foodplant which was
becoming smothered by stronger vegetation, which is a far greater
threat than any collecting. As was the case with the Clifden nonpareil,
the many thousands that were bred originated from only a few wild
females being captured. My own breeding of some thousand
individuals in the 1950s all originated from the nine eggs I started with.
Nearly all insects are very prolific, laying from a few hundred to some
two thousand eggs. It does not take more than a few wild captured
females to saturate the market and the belief in some quarters that
“breeding is difficult” is a complete myth both from my own experience
and that of others, although I will admit that “green fingers”, or an
aptitude for creating the right conditions and spotting when things are
going wrong before they do, comes into it. A number of species

cre Volume 55 + October 1996 209

(including butterflies) have been in continuous culture for some forty to
fifty years, the oldest I know of, the kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus since
1907.

Many view with increasing cynicism, anger and frustration restrictions
on collecting that are entirely due to Government's apparently complete
disregard for preservation of habitats which it seems hellbent on
destroying, such as (Gust before retiring from office) Dr Brian
Mahwinney authorising the destruction or damaging of no less than
four Wildlife sites by approving the exceedingly controversial route of
the Newbury bypass. Also approved by an insensitive government has
been the destruction of the Marsh fritillary Selar SSSI site for the sake of
Opencast mining — as if a new coalmine on such a sensitive site was
required when so many other coal mines were being closed due to lack
of demand! The planned widening of the Al through Cambridgeshire is
already doing immense environmental damage. The safest way to save
species is to protect their habitats and this can really only be successful
if they are in an inalienable ownership, as are already sites owned by
English Nature, Butterfly Conservation and the National Trust. Indeed
all our endangered butterfly species are known to occur on National
Trust land, often on several sites and all but two species which are not
considered to be endangered also enjoy their hospitality, so the future
of these looks distinctly hopeful, for the Trust is aware of their rarity
and takes its responsibilities for their welfare seriously. To buy further
habitats takes money. Some 100 million pounds have now been given
by the National Lottery to the performing arts, historians and archivists
and similar causes. Although a tiny trickle has come from that source, is
it not time for the nature lover also to benefit substantially from a
source of revenue? I only hope the appropriate bodies are making
strong applications for such funds.

Enormous effort has gone into the re-introduction of both the Large
copper and the Large blue (Maculinea arion) but when the Gypsy
moth (Lymantria dispar) re-introduced itself of its own accord, it was
immediately exterminated. Why? It was never a pest species in Great
Britain and no evidence to substantiate the reason for the extermination
appeats to have been published. Previous attempts to re-establish it
before the present legislation on such activity was in force were
unsuccessful. Is it not highly hypocritical to be so selective?

To sum up, to legally ban a species from being collected while at the
same time giving no protection whatsoever to its habitat(s), sometimes
indeed actually authorising its destruction, is both illogical and

210 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae

hypocritical. In any case no law is effective unless it can be enforced
and seen to be enforced. A concentration on a sustained rearing
programme of endangered species for sale would remove much of the
incentive of dealers, if not of all collectors, to raid the reduced habitats.
The botanists are already doing this. Botanic gardens in particular,
collect and interchange seed of rare and endangered species, some of
which are now commoner in cultivation than they are in the wild and
there is no reason whatsoever why invertebrates should not be
cultivated in the same way. Indeed a start on such a scheme is already
in operation, albeit in a small way as yet, which has been organised by
the Entomological Livestock Group. We need to think along these lines
and we also need more information and certainly far more research on
the reasons as to why species are becoming extinct and why they may
need to be put on a protected list banning their collection. A far more
cogent reason than blaming collectors is climatic change, habitat
changes which include change of use, not just development for other
purposes and also the slow drip of insecticides and herbicides into the
environment which, while not killing the insects immediately, may have
so contaminated the nectar flowers on which they feed (already
drastically reduced by hedgerow destruction) that many pick up a sub-
lethal dose affecting their survival and fertility or starve to death
through lack of sustenance. Habitat separation is also a reason as even
a new road can prevent the interchange of genetic material from one
population to another and the huge arable fields created by hedge
destruction to increase crop production under the CAP policies have
caused habitats to become more and more spatially isolated as well as
reduced in size. In particular we need to apply as much pressure as we
can on the politicians to legislate for habitat protection — especially
from their often insensitive and appalling road programmes and also, if
it is a criminal offense to collect, then it must an equally criminal
offence for anybody purposely to degrade, by any means whatsoever, a
designated habitat. Otherwise we will have one law for the would-be
collector and another Gnore favourable one) for the landowner. Back to
the days of the 18/19th century game laws perhaps?

To look on the bright side, while we hear a lot about species
becoming endangered and extinct, we hear very little about species
arriving and increasing in numbers. We forget, perhaps, that nothing is
static; environments and climates change: species come; species go.
Every year I see quoted in the Royal Entomological Society's journal
Antenna lists of insects “new to Britain” of which there were 35 in
1995. To take a few examples. We have gained six species of moths per

oe Volume 55 + October 1996 211

year over the past half century (335 between 1938 and 1992). Between
1945 and 1964 Hemiptera increased from 1411 to 1627. Between 1945
and 1976 flies increased from 5199 to 5950 and fleas from 47 to 57. For
every species that has become extinct this century we have gained at
least ten.

I would like to thank Paul Batty, Paul Waring, Wayne Jarvis, Martin
Harvey, David Shepherd, Alan Stubbs, Paul Sokoloff and Richard Jones
for their helpful comments during the preparation of this article.

) =
=

Gh a Ss 7 The rise and fall of Melanic peppered moths
AN \S
by Denis F. Owen

42 Little Wittenbam Road, Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4QS.

The rise and fall in frequency of melanic (form carbonaria) Peppered
moths, Biston betularia, is one of the best documented examples of
observable evolutionary change. Melanic frequencies of 90% or more
were recorded in and around areas of heavy industry and were
maintained at this level until the late 1970s when a decrease in
frequency began. The decrease has continued and at one site a melanic
frequency of over 90% in 1959 has fallen to less than 18% in 1995.
Similar changes have occurred and are still occurring in the American
subspecies, Biston betularia cognataria. Indeed the melanic form may
be decreasing at a rate of 1.2% a year which means that it will
disappear unless some sort of stability occurs. Because of the
exceptional interest of evolution in the Peppered moth, I suggest that in
1996 a special effort is made to record the frequencies of all three
forms: typical, carbonaria and the intermediate insularia. We need
information from as many sites as possible from throughout the British
Isles. The moth is readily caught in m.v. and similar traps. Many of us
run traps in our gardens and it is from these that the best records are
likely to be obtained as sample sizes should be adequate for numerical
analysis. I would be delighted to receive records from the 1996 season,
either in the form of a list of frequencies of typicals, carbonaria and
insularia, or papered specimens which I can then score. In this way we
should be able to build up a picture of the present status of melanism
in the Peppered moth which can be compared with the past situation.
If left much longer, it may be too late. I look forward to hearing from
moth trappers prepared to participate in this project in the future.

212 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society pe

| Notes and observations: Some unusual courtship behaviour

by John L. Gregory

Lepidoptera House, Bodelva, Par, Cornwall PL24 2SZ.

A remarkable courtship was observed on 15th June 1996 in the Tropical
Butterfly House at Par Plant Centre in Cornwall, when a male
Heliconius charitonius, which had emerged about two weeks earlier,
was seen to be persistently chasing and repeatedly but unsuccessfully
attempting to pair with a very freshly emerged female Papilio xuthus.
The courtship lasted for perhaps about an hour ‘before the H.

charitonius gave up. It is amazing that a male butterfly should be so
very strongly attracted to a female of a species from a so
completely different family. Perhaps he was
“turned on” by the super-stimulus of a female
so much larger than himself, despite the only
rather vaguely similar coloration. Or, perhaps he
might have been frustrated at being unable to find a
female of his own species. 3

These two species would never come together in the
natural wild state, because of their widely different
geographical distributions.

Webb’s wainscot — an unusual record

by Roger Hayward (2769)

16 Gilmore Close, Slough SI3 7BD.

I should like to record the capture, in my garden here in Slough, of a
male A. sparganii (Webb’s wainscot) on the night of 29th July 1995.
This is an unexpected record, in my view, of the distribution shown in
MOGBI.

I had previously taken a specimen in 1978, which I dismissed at the
time as a vagrant from the coast. However, this second record raises
other possibilities, especially as I took an A. geminipuncta (Twin-
spotted wainscot) in 1990 and that R. /utosa (Large wainscot) turns up
from time to time.

Martin Albertini, the County Recorder for Bucks (Slough records still

count as Bucks, although the county is now administratively in Berks),
received a record of this species from the north of the county this year.

a Volume 55 + October 1996 213

Hibernating Heralds
by Paul Sokoloff (4456)

4 Steep Close, Green Street Green, Orpington, Kent BRO ODS.

The Herald moth, Scoliopteryx libatrix (Linn.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
is reasonably common over much of the British Isles, although it is
seldom seen in any numbers except when one chances upon the
overwintering group — the second brood of the moth hibernating, often
communally, in cool, dark places. I have come across up to 14
individuals together in a coal cellar in Croydon, Surrey but cannot rival
the “several hundreds” encountered by A.G. Carolsfeld-Krausé
overwintering in a chambered barrow (Entomologist’s Record (1900) 72:
36). He describes the roof stones of the barrow as “densely covered . . .
the moths . . . sat so closely that they touched each other’.

More recently, R.K.A. Morris and G.A. Collins published a study of
hibernating moths in an abandoned fort at Box Hill, Surrey. They included
the Herald in their study, and they followed the fate of the moths through
the winter and spring months (Entomologist’s Record (1991) 103: 313).
On the continent, the Herald is well known as a cave hibernator. The
species has a wide Eurasiatic distribution, although becoming a scarcer
species in southern Europe.

In early August 1995, I was on the island of Madeira — off the west
coast of Africa. Whilst walking along the Levada da Rocha Vermelha, an
artificial irrigation channel high in the mountains, I came across a long
tunnel feeding water into the /evada at an altitude of around 2800 feet.
The rock tunnel, cut through the mountain, was about two metres tall
and very, very long. Water gushed through and there was a steady flow
of air as the tunnel linked two valleys on either side of a mountain.
Having a torch in the rucksack I could not resist exploring, as all sorts
of interesting creatures can be found in caves, tunnels and the like. But
the tunnel was barren — not even a spider's web, nothing except —
Herald moths! Starting about five metres in from the entrance I found a
handful on the rough rock of the tunnel roof and more and more as I
went further into the tunnel. I stopped counting at 150 specimens,
largely due to a crick in the neck from looking at the roof, but they
continued for as far as I went in the tunnel. Remarkably, every single
specimen was dead. All were hanging from the roof, and most had a
coating of fine, filamentous, white mould, often exuding a drop of clear
yellow fluid from the abdomen.

214 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae

The dead moths were widely spaced and not clustered together as
one might expect during the overwintering of this species. My
conclusion was that these were simply the casualties, the other moths
having flown off after successfully overwintering — if so, the original
numbers in the tunnel must have been huge. Because of the condition
of the moths, I guessed them to be the remnants of a recent hibernation
rather than an accumulation of years. The few specimens I took were
identical in all respects to our own Herald moth.

The final puzzle was the concept of “overwintering”. Madeira has
remarkably consistent weather throughout the year — yes it does rain a
lot more, and even snow in the mountains during some months, but
there is no long winter as we would recognise it. So does this species
have some form of diapause programmed in, regardless of geographical
location? I have no idea, but it is food for thought.

Obituary
H.G. Phelps of Crockerton, Wiltshire

Members of the Society who knew Howard will, I am sure, be
saddened to hear of his death in the summer of 1995.

Apparently, Howard was found dead in his car in a remote
area of Spain, his equipment by his side, having gone to Spain
for a “bugging” holiday. His body was not discovered for
several days.

This “field trip” was typical of Howard’s later life when he

made several “solo” trips abroad, including Arctic Scandinavia
— but Spain was a great love for him. He kept his collection of
Spanish butterflies until the end.

Howard was an “all round” naturalist and sportsman and
was a close friend of the other Wiltshire “greats”, General
Lipscomb and Capt. A.L. Jackson. He also met Baron De
Worms on several occasions.

Farewell Howard, you “Man of the fields”.
S. Button (7649)

Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Fig. 1. Poplar hawkmoth caterpillar with recently emerged Microplitis ocellatae larvae.
31st August 1992 (Slide x 1.5)

Microplitis ocellatae cocoons. 15th September 1994 (Slide x 3)

PLATE 96Q

Volume 55 «+ October 1996 tf

Aas - fuer oe a Renae
Fig. 3. Microplitis ocellaiae adult parasitoid. Emerged April 1995. (Slide x 10)

. Ge ae ae ered Sf Sy SN a yy eR ey ais la Ep] NE:
Fig. 4. The Brown hawker (Aeshna grandis). Photo: Cedric Elliott.

PLATE 90R

Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

ea eee e
DeaRi SPE Mass

So ee ee eee - = i es S eee ee

Fig. 6. A close-up of the Museum beetle. Photo: Nick Holford.

PLATE 90S

Volume 55 + October 1996

Fig. 7. An unusual pairing between a male Cinnabar (Callimorpha jacobaeae) and a
female Scarlet tiger (C. dominula).

See

Fig. 8. The view of the unusual pairing through the cage side.

PLATE Sot

)
|
|
|
|

BDS Collective Knowledge Project update,
Aeshna grandis, the Brown hawker

by Stuart Irons

69 Glinton Road, Helpston, Peterborough PEO 7DG.

During the past year I have received about a dozen contributions to the
Aeshna grandis Collective Knowledge Project. Some have revealed new
information and others have opened up new lines of enquiry which I
would wish to pursue.

Distribution

It is known that A. grandis (Plate 96R, Fig. 4) is well established in the
Midlands, south and east, but I have received records of ovipositing in
ponds just south of Darlington and in South Wales. It will be interesting
to learn whether colonies of A. grandis are established in these areas or
in any other parts of the north and west.

Larvae

I have received no information regarding larvae at all. So any Sites
where A. grandis larvae have been found with as much information as
possible would be useful.

Emergence

Has anyone witnessed A. grandis emerging? I have received information
regarding emergence sites all found on the western bank of the
Basingstoke Canal, a site which received early morning sun. Is this

typical?

Territory
Male territory held over water has been described as about 100 metres
along a canal or 50 square metres over open water. When males
holding adjacent territories meet they spiral upwards with the lower
insect, at the end of the spiral, invariably being the winter. Any
comments?

Pairing

It seems that A. grandis is rarely seen in pairs but when a pair is seen
together they are usually in the “wheel” position and not in tandem. So

/ where do they mate and for how long? Under what circumstances do
_ they fly in tandem?

216 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe

Ovipositing

I have received several delightful accounts of female Brown hawkers
egglaying usually into waterlogged wood but if this medium is
unavailable, soft mud or other vegetation is used.

Resting places

A. grandis is rarely observed at rest, however I have received two
observations on this subject indicating that sites chosen are either very
low down (within one foot of the ground) or high (over ten feet above
the ground) invariably with a brown background. Has anyone observed
other resting places for A. grandis?

First and last dates :

The first dates I have received vary between 20th and 29th June with
last dates between 11th September and 11th October over a six year
period.

Flight times

I have received one observation of a Brown hawker flying at dusk but I
would be grateful for other detailed observations on this subject. Do
they also fly early in the morning?

These are a few, lines of enquiry which 1) with the (help) of my
correspondents, have been pursuing. If anyone has any information on
these or any other subject, I would love to hear from you.

Unusual pairing: male Cinnabar (Callimorpha jacobaeae)
female Scarlet tiger (C. dominula)

by Don McNamara (5537)

6 Fulham Close, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 OSU.

During a “hatch-out” of Scarlet tigers and Cinnabars (0th July 1996),
both of which were in the same cage I spotted the above combination
(Plate 90T, Figs. 7 & 8). They stayed in cop for most of the day, having
paired presumably during the previous night. I isolated the female after
parting at about 5.00pm and kept her well-fed — but no eggs.

The Cinnabars were of west London origin and Scarlet tiger stock
came from the “artifical” colony in west Merseyside.

od Volume 55 * October 1996 217

Notes on the insects and other invertebrates of an urban house

by Stuart Cole (10159)

24 Broom Close, Broom Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 OR].

For most of the past thirty years I have lived at a number of different
addresses in the south-west London boroughs of Wandsworth and
Richmond. In that time I have come across a quite interesting and
varied insect fauna in houses in the area.

The largest number of species were found in two flats in a row of
late Victorian buildings on Putney High Street in the inner London
borough of Wandsworth. The top three floors of the buildings
comprised residential flats while shops occupied the ground floor along
the length of the block and included a bakery and a restaurant. By
1980, when the Greater London Council took over the ownership of the
buildings, they were suffering the effects of years of neglect. The
yellow-brown dry-rot fungus (Merulias lacrymans) had _ spread
extensively beneath floor boards and under the plaster of walls and
ceilings. Old seeping water pipes encouraged the growth of the fungus.
The age and neglect of the buildings and the varied occupancy created
the conditions for an insect fauna that included more than a dozen
species of beetle.

Of the 13 beetle species found, some are associated with stored
foodstuffs and a few are omnivorous scavengers. At least four are
introductions from abroad — probably most of them are — many species
of insects and other animals have been commensals of man for so long
that their countries of origin are uncertain. Some species were well
established in the flats, being found year after year, while others,
encountered only once or twice, may have been transitory or breeding
in other parts of the buildings to which I had no access, eg. the bakery.
The species were:

Dermestes lardarius (Dermestidae) Bacon beetle. Common and _ also
sometimes found outside the building on the roof and in pigeons nests
on ledges.

Attagenus pellio (Dermestidae). Several adults.

Anthrenus verbasci (Dermestidae) Museum beetle (Plate 90S, Figs. 5 &
6). All too common, sometimes found breeding in my insect collection
while adults fed at flowers, especially composites, on the roof.

Paratillus carus (Cleridae). A rare introduction from Australia where the
species is said to prey on wood boring beetles of the Bostrychidae and

218 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae

Scolytidae. An adult was found once in the flat, in a cupboard infested
with Anobium striatum. It was a small slender beetle with metallic blue
elytra crossed by a white stripe.

Tenebroides mauretanicus (Ostomidae). Introduction from north-west
Africa. Found only once.

Mycetaea hirta (Endomychidae). Occasionally found wandering slowly
about in the vicinity of dry-rot fungus on which it is said to feed.

Niptus hololeucus (Ptinidae) Golden spider beetle. An introduction from
south-east Europe. Common.

Ptinus tectus (Ptinidae). Introduction from Tasmania. Frequent. I once
came upon adults and larvae feeding on an old Afghan rug.

Trigogenias globulus (Ptinidae). Common.

Gibbium psylloides (Ptinidae) Spider beetle. Common. One source of
food for adults of this species was the string in textured wallpaper.

Anobium striatum (Anobiidae) Furniture beetle. Frequent. Larvae were
present in the wood of floor boards, beams, cupboards and table legs.

Tenebrio molitor (Tenebrionidae) Mealworm beetle. Adults very
common and probably mostly originating from the bakery. Both adults
and larvae feed on a wide range of foodstuffs, both fresh and dried,
and other materials such as paper and feathers.

Blaps mucronata (Tenebrionidae) Cellar beetle. Only one individual
was found and this was on the roof, but as this is a flightless indoor
insect a population must have been present somewhere in the
buildings, perhaps the bakery.

Of Hemiptera two occurred in the flats. One was the small and
delicate predatory bug Empicoris vagabundus (Reduviidae) which is
found in buildings and in a variety of habitats outside including
woodland and sand-dunes. It was found twice but as this is a very
inconspicuous insect and looks rather like a midge when in flight, it
may actually have been more numerous. I did not discover what its
prey was; possibly booklice (Psocoptera). The related, but much larger
and more robust black Reduvius personatus is not uncommon in houses
in the neighbouring borough of Richmond but I did not come upon it
in Putney or elsewhere in London.

The other hemipteran was the scale insect, Lecanium hesperidum
(Coccidae) known as the soft brown scale. This formed colonies on a
lemon tree (Citrus sp.) grown in the flat. The insects gathered on the
underside of the leaves, mostly around the mid-vein. Since the females

|
t

}

oé Volume 55 * October 1996 219

of this insect are wingless and immobile when mature, and the plant
was raised from a pip in the room it is a mystery how they came to be
on the lemon tree. The adult female Lecanium is a flattish, oval,
creature which is incapable of movement once it has reached maturity.
The young are aphid-like and initially shelter beneath the mother’s
carapace then, soon after becoming independent, change to the flat
oval shape of the adult, gradually becoming less mobile. When the tree
grew too large it was moved outside onto the flat roof and, surprisingly,
survived for several years. The scale insects too, although undoubtedly
Originating from a warmer climate, persisted. Their numbers dropped
sharply during the cold months but recovered each summer. Many
other kinds of plants were grown on the roof but Lecanium spread to
only one — a small ivy (Hedera helix).

On only one occasion in five years did I come upon what I think was
the male of Lecanium. Like all scale insects the male is a very different
looking animal and this one was a tiny winged aphid-like homopteran
with an orange pronotum, greenish abdomen and filiform antennae.
One year, many of the scale-insects were parasitised, probably by the
little Chalcidoid wasps, less than two millimetres long, that were found
searching the leaves of the lemon tree. In late summer dead adult scale
insects each had a minute exit hole of their dorsal surface.

Two kinds of cockroach were found in the building at different
times; these were Blatta orientalis (Blattidae) and Blattella germanica
(Blattellidae). In the 1960s the black wingless females of Blatta used to
make an occasional appearance in the flats, particularly in the kitchen
and bathroom. They were more common outside in a yard where the
dustbins were kept and groups of Blatta lived under the bins or in
loose brickwork at the base of the yard wall. The cats would also
sometimes catch one of the fully winged brown males on the roof.
Blatta was not seen in later years and it seems generally to have
become less common in London while the smaller, light brown
Blattella germanica has become quite abundant in some London
restaurant kitchens and in council estate tower blocks. It was often seen
in the restaurant on the corner of the block in Putney. Blattella came to
Europe from North Africa but the original home of Blatta is uncertain.
The big red-brown Periplanata autralasiae (Blattidae) is believed to
originate from tropical Africa. This species thrives in the hot houses at
the Botanic Gardens at Kew a few miles from Putney, especially in the
tropical rainforest section of the Princess of Wales Conservatory where
dead and dying cockroaches can be found in the pitchers of
insectivorous plants of the genus Nepenthes.

220 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe

Two kinds of moth bred in the house. One was the well-known
Clothes moth (Tineola biselliella) the larvae of which I discovered in
large numbers in a metal trunk containing old wool rugs and a heavy
woollen coat. They had been there for some time, perhaps for two,
three or more generations as they had eaten holes right through the
thick material. Pupae and the small plain whitish adult moths were also
present. Each pupa was contained in a white silk cocoon with dark
fibres from the coat attached. The other species was the Brown house
moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) which, like the Clothes moth, is
a small undistinguished-looking insect. This was particularly numerous
one year around a window just above some pigeons’ nests where they
were likely to have been breeding as the larvae of the species is known
to feed in birds nests.

Other insects in the buildings included the lithe thysanuran Lepisma
saccharina (the “Silverfish”) which also occurred outside under bricks
on the flat roof and under window boxes on ledges. Inside they were
only found in the bathroom and this is the case with all other houses in
which I have come upon Lepisma. Presumably only bathrooms supply
the necessary humidity. Booklice were present in books and sometimes
found in my insect collection. There were also the usual flies that
commonly come into houses such as Musca domestica and Calliphora
sps. These do not usually breed in houses but one that does is the odd
Window fly (Scenopinus fenestralis) which at first glance looks a bit like
a small black beetle. The species was often found resting or walking
slowly over the inside of window panes. The larva was not discovered
but is apparently predatory on insect grubs. Other flies probably
breeding in the house were “Moth-flies” (Psychoda sps.) usually present
around sinks where the larvae were no doubt living in the waste pipes.
We had four cats in the flat and cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) numbers
fluctuated from year to year. The eggs and larvae were to be found in
the cats’ bedding; the larvae are white, legless and typically dipterous in
form.

The common black garden ant, Lasius niger, did not live inside the
building but there were colonies in the soil of nearly every plant pot on
the roof and the workers frequently came into the kitchen of the top
floor flat to forage, especially searching for any sweet substances.

As for other invertebrates, house spiders of the genus 7egenaria were
common residents in Putney, most often seen when they ran across the
floor in the evening, and they were found at most of the addresses |
have lived at in London. Scytodes thoracica (Scytodidae), a small spider,

oe Volume 55 « October 1996 221

white with black spots, was common in the flats and was once also
found among debris on the flat roof. It is a hunter and has an unusual
method of catching its prey; spraying it with sticky threads, hence the
common name of the spitting spider. Scytodes is an introduction from
southern Europe which IJ have rarely seen in other buildings. Although
it is well established in Britain it seems to me that the species has
become scarcer in recent years while another introduced spider, the
spindly legged Pholcus phalangoides (which makes inconspicuous
webs in the corners of rooms just below the ceiling) has become very
common in southern England although it was not found in Putney.

The most unexpected inhabitant of the upper floors of the block in
Putney was the yellow slug (Limax flavus). | found three in the early
1980s, One On One occasion, two on another, at night on the floor in
and just outside a bathroom that was particularly badly affected by dry
rot. Probably they had emerged from under the broken floorboards
which were permanently damp and beneath which fungal growth was
well advanced. The species is known to live in cellars, as well as in
woodland, but it is surprising that these individuals were present on the
fourth floor of a building standing in a concrete yard.

At my next address, a flat in a 1930s mansion block in Kew in the
leafier London Borough of Richmond, there were very few house
insects. Over ten years seven species of beetle were found but only two
of these were permanently resident, the others were encountered once
or twice or very occasionally. The species were:

Dermestes haemorroidalis (Dermestidae). Larvae commonly found
wandering about on the floor especially in the kitchen. The species is
now very widespread in London.

Anthrenus suranamensis (Cucujidae). Several adults in a tin containing
white rice.

Anobium striatum (Anobiidae). One in a tin containing icing sugar.
Ptinis fur (Ptinidae). Several found once in an old cat basket.

Tenebrio molitor. Found once.

Euophryum confine (Curculionidae — Cossoninae). Found once.

Other than these beetles there were only booklice (unidentified) and
Lepisma sacharrina. Of spiders there were Pholcus phalangoides and
Tegenaria sps. including T. parietina and T. gigantea. Although
“indoor” species were few in kind, quite a number of normally outdoor
insects, spiders and woodlice strayed inside and took up abode in the
flat and hallways of the block. I don’t think any of these bred in the

222 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae

building except for the common earwig (Forficula auricularia). For
several years earwigs were everywhere, in cupboards, under chairs, in
door frames. There were probably as many as 40 or 50 in the flat at any
one time. Although no very young earwigs were found, half-grown
immatures were quite frequent and the species may have been
breeding but what they ate was not known. Few measures were taken
to reduce their numbers but eventually they declined and almost
disappeared from inside the flat.

My next two addresses were in Twickenham and Teddington, both
also in the Borough of Richmond. There were fewer house dwelling
species still at these. Resident beetles were Anobium striatum at both
addresses and Dermestes haemorroidalis and Anthrenus verbasci in the
flat in Teddington. Two insects that both places had in common were
Lepisma saccharina and the predatory bug Reduvius personatus. Of
spiders, Pholcus and unidentified Tegenaria sps. are present in
Teddington but no house spiders were noted in the few months spent
in the house at Twickenham.

Some observations on breeding Moon moths
(Lepidoptera: Attacidae). Part II

by Michel Lamour

Les Vallées, Rue des Grands Terrages, 85100 Le Chateau d'Olonne, France.

Continued from Part 1, Bulletin 55: (406) 135-141.

Genus Argema

I have only bred two species: Argema mittrei and A. mimosae.

Argema mittrei

Breeding this species in Europe had long been considered impossible,
as it is extremely difficult to obtain pairings in captivity.

A friend of mine obtained some eggs for me, resulting from hand-
pairings. This enabled me to make two attempts to breed this species:
indoors in winter and outdoors in the autumn. Breeding indoors (see
Bulletin of Société Sciences Nat. no. 63, September 1989).

I received thirty eggs on 29th August 1986; they were sleeved
outdoors on Eucalyptus gunnii (Myrtaceae).

As no larvae had hatched after one month, the eggs were then
transferred to a heated greenhouse (25°C) with a very high degree of
humidity. As a result, 17 larvae hatched a week later, about 10th
October, but only 15 survived. The 15 survivors were placed indoors on
potted eucalyptus, in a well-lit south-facing position.

Everything went well during the first two instars, until early
November, but afterwards the larvae, which are normally very lethargic,
started becoming active. I should have tried to find out at the time why
the larvae had changed their behaviour; the eucalyptus was starting to
die off indoors and as there was a lack of suitable food, the larvae
started to look for another plant.

As usually happens in such cases, a bacterial infection broke out, and
I lost eight larvae. About 10th December, four larvae failed to undergo
the fourth moult. Around Christmas I had three larvae left, all in the last
instar.

dino, of them pupated on 25th December. Ihe third died on 27th
December, despite the fact that it was the largest.

I expected the moths would emerge very early by keeping the
cocoons at a temperature of 25°C and a hygrometry of 90-100%. I had

224 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society wee

to curb my impatience. I lost one cocoon. I then decided to induce the
remaining pupa to enier diapause by gradually reducing ihe
temperature to 15°C and a hygrometry of 60%.

After having kept the cocoon for about three weeks in a heated
ereenhouse (22°C) and a hygromeiry of 90%, I obiained a normal-sized
male moth G70mm) on 17ih June 1987.

Several conclusions can be drawn from this account: The larvae
readily accept Eucalypius gunnii, although ii is noi their onginal
foodplant; this is Eugenia (Myrtaceae) or Weinmania (Saxifragaceae).
Experiments could be made, using other species of cucalypis as
foodplants. Just now I have got other kinds of eucalyptus grown from
seed. If I can get some eggs, I shall carry out an expenment

Breeding indoors is apparently difficult, as Eucalypius gunnii does
not do well under such conditions and also possibly Gue io ihe
ecological requirements of the larvae.

It would appear that the pupae musi necessanly be induced to enier
diapause 10 Obtain imagines similar to those from Madagascar, with
regard to size and configuration. However, this possibly depended on
the nature of the stock I had obiained.

It would appear thai heat and a high degree of humidity are required
for the eggs to hatch.

Paradoxically, the larvae do not require an enormous quaniiiy of food,
in spite of their size bout 15cm, when in their last instar). However, #
must be pointed out that Eucalyptus gunnii produces thick leaves and
abundant foliage, and this can give a false impression of the situaiion.
On the other hand, there is not a large amount of frass, and this would
appear to confirm that the larvae do not consume much food.

In all probability, this species does noi lend itself to being bred
indoors, and this would account for the very poor results

The lengthy breeding time should also be noted: ten months elapsed
from the time when the eggs were received until the moth emerged.

As far as its appearance is Concemed, it is a remarkable creature; the
size of the fully-grown larva is impressive; it is dark-green, glossy, with
light-yellow intersegmental rings, brown tue legs and orange prolegs.
The imago is the well-known Madagascan comet moth and need not be
described here.

Breeding outdoors:
The following year I received five eggs at the beginning of August. On
this occasion, unlike the previous year, all five of them hatched within

ed Volume 55 + October 1996 225

three days after I had received them. However, the ambient
temperature was about 25°C.

Using a fine paintbrush, I straight away sleeved the larvae outdoors
on a large Eucalyptus gunnii which had survived the rigours of the
previous winters.

They immediately started feeding. I noticed they were very lethargic
and easily disturbed; whenever there is the slightest unusual sound they
slightly raise their bodies just like hawkmoth larvae and remain quite
still.

In mid-September the five larvae were in their third instar. Then
disaster struck. While I was away, some wasps made their way into the
polyproplene sleeve and killed three larvae. I fitted a second sleeve
over the first one and had no more trouble.

Both remaining larvae pupated on 1st November at a temperature of
2°C. In spite of the cold I left them outside until 10th November and
untied the sleeves to remove the cocoons.

During the winter I happened to drop one of the cocoons, due to
clumsiness. Although the pupa was perfectly well formed, it did not
survive. I obtained a female moth in July 1988, measuring over
200mm.

To sum up: My attempts at breeding would have been completely
successful, has it not been for the wasps and my clumsiness. The cold
weather at the time of pupation gave rise to some concern. As a matter
of fact, the cold weather did not stop the insect from going through all
its stages satisfactorily, and this species appears to be perfectly able to
resist moderately cold temperatures. Breeding outdoors appears to be
easy and no special precautions are required, except for those
mentioned above.

Argema mimosae

Towards the end of August 1989 I received about twenty eggs of A.
mimosae. When I say that I received some “eggs” I am being optimistic,
as the larvae hatched in the tube while they were in the post, and were
more or less reduced to pulp when they arrived.

Five larvae were not so severely crushed or suffocated that I was
unable to save them, and I offered them a selection of various
foodplants: willow, walnut, privet, pear, Eucalyptus gunnii and, of
course, some liquidamber, as I was not quite sure on which plant to
rear the larvae.

226 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe

They all joined up on the liquidamber and started to feed. I had no
further doubts about the foodplant. A friend of mine subsequently told
me that the larvae will also take Schinus molle, a small tree from Peru
and Chile belonging to the family Anacardiaceae, and which is grown
on the French Riviera.

I put the liquidamber outdoors and was extremely surprised when
the larvae stopped feeding. I replaced the liquidamber indoors behind
the window at about 25°C and the larvae resumed feeding.

As soon as the temperature fell below 25°C, I noticed they became
less active, except in the last two instars, or even at temperatures
slightly below 20°C, I did not notice any further reduction in their
activity. Breeding was accordingly carried out indoors.

When in their first instar, the larvae very much resemble those of
Actias selene. In the following instars the larval colour is a uniform
green, with blue intersegmental bands. They are lethargic, like the
larvae of Argema mittrei.

Despite their being reared indoors, the larvae behaved normally;
liquidamber also lends itself very well to indoor breeding conditions.
The larvae are almost as large as those of A. selene and are voracious
feeders.

Five liquidambers, each two metres high, were required to feed my
five surviving larvae, at a cost of about 200 francs per larva. It was just
as well that only five survived, otherwise they would have cost me a
small fortune!

The five larvae pupated about mid-October within a day of each
other. In comparison to the size of the larva, the cocoon is relatively
small (about one-third of the size of that of A. mittrei, which it very
much resembles. I expected that the cocoons would enter diapause for
the winter, and accordingly left them indoors at a temperature of about
20°C and a dry atmosphere (50% hygrometry) so as to induce this
diapause.

I was all the more surprised when I obtained three imagines within a
day of each other (two males and one female) about the 10th
November. Strangely enough, all imagines emerged at exactly 9.30pm
local time (8.30pm solar time). I would like to know whether other
breeders have observed this feature.

The resulting imagines were perfectly well formed and very much
resembled A. mittrei, however, they were green in colour and of
smaller size (125mm).

——————————————————————_—_

tf Volume 55 + October 1996 227

Both remaining cocoons overwintered, and the imagines emerged in
May and June 1990. The May emergence also took place at 10.30pm
local time (summer time - unchanged at 8.30 solar time). The June
emergence took place one hour later.

This species seemed very easy to rear. It can very well withstand
indoor environmental conditions.

Although Gardiner mentions walnut and Eucalyptus gunnii as
possible foodplants, the larvae only accepted liquidamber.

I was able to breed A. mimosae once again. On 12th August 1991 I
received 42 eggs of A. mimosae. As a matter of fact, they included an
ege of Actias luna, which produced a female moth five weeks later.
The larvae of A. mimosae were then only in their fourth instar. This
indicates how fast the two species develop. Accordingly, there were
only 41 eggs from which to breed. Remembering my _ previous
experience with regard to the voracious appetite of the larvae, I
resolved I would use all possible means to oblige the larvae to accept
eucalyptus. I offered them Eucalyptus gunnii, coccifera, cinerea, nitens
together with Sumac. It was no use. With some apprehension I had to
use liquidamber, while at the same time making an estimate of how
much it would cost me.

All the eggs hatched out. During the first instars I used potted
liquidamber, located indoors. Subsequently, I used cut branches
standing in water to which some glucose had been added, together
with a few drops of potassium-chloride water per litre; I continued
breeding indoors. In spite of my fears, everything went satisfactorily. I
gathered 35 cocoons and 35 moths emerged: 13 in November 1991 and
22 in June 1992. The success rate was 85%. The moths did not emerge
at a specific time, and all emergences took place in the evening
between 8pm and 11pm.

Genus Graellsia

[The editor wishes to remind readers (in France) that permits are
required to breed species protected by law (in this case Graellsia isabellae
galliae-gloria); these can be obtained from the Ministry of the
Environment, at the following address: Direction de la Protection de la
Nature, 14 Boulevard du Général Leclerc, 92524 Neuilly-sur-Seine.

Breeding must be carried out for scientific purposes; as a rule, a report
must be sent to the Ministry.]

228 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae

There is only one species in this genus — Graellsia isabellae — of
which there are several local races.

This species does not occur on the Atlantic seaboard. On the other
hand, it is easy to rear. Looking back, I even believe it is the species I
found the easiest to rear. It is quite straightforward; it does not need
looking after. My experience covers three years, during which time I
bred about 130 larvae.

In the first year, breeding was carried out using potted Pinus
sylvestris. | had a success rate of nearly 50% but had some losses,
because of ants.

In the second year, most of the eggs supplied to me failed to hatch.
On the other hand, in the third year I received about one hundred
eges, which I sleeved out on a branch of a young P. sylvestris. When I
had finished rearing, I gathered 73 cocoons; I believe this disproves the
statement that the larvae cannot be crowded. In the second year |
placed half the eggs on P. sylvestris and half on P. nigra var. austriaca
and I gathered as many cocoons from both foodplants.

Obviously, it appears that different species of pine are acceptable as
foodplants. On the other hand, I have not tried to breed the larvae on
Monterey pine (P. radiata).

When in their first instar, the larvae are black. In the next two instars
they are exactly the same greyish colour as the pine branches and it is
almost impossible to detect them in the sleeve, so that one begins to
wonder whether breeding has been a success. Frass alone indicates the
presence of the larvae. When fully grown, the larva is a magnificent
creature, with dark bands of red and grey alternating with the green
ground-colour. This coloration certainly enables the larva to be very
well camouflaged among the pine branches.

Towards the end of the final instar, the sleeve must be opened and
the bottom lined with peat and ground pine bark. The larvae spin a
loose cocoon amongst this material.

It is very easy to harvest the cocoons: the breeder has only to remove
the sleeve and sort out the cocoons from the peat. If a large number of
larvae are bred in the same sleeve, which is what I did, great care must
be taken not to damage the cocoons, which are often spun together in
batches of four or five.

Unlike other species which I have bred and despite a high larval
population density in the sleeve, I never had to change it to a fresh
branch, due to insufficient foliage; this just shows the small amount of

od Volume 55 * October 1996 229

food eaten by the larvae. I know that the larvae are smaller than those
of A. selene, to quote an example; however, when I last bred G.
isabellae, from about 15th May to 15th July, I gathered 73 cocoons; had
I been breeding A. selene, I would have had to change to sleeve to
another branch every four hours, given the same number of larvae. I
would like to point out that Robert Vuattoux has hybridised A. /una
and A. sinensis with G. isabellae. Until recently, when males of G.
isabellae were paired with females of A. /una, the resultant moths were
all males. Scientists have succeeded in obtaining female hybrids of
these species by injecting the female pupae with hormones which
break the diapause (Ecdysone).

For further information, articles on breeding A. mittrei, A. mimosae,
G. isabellae and its hybrids have been published in the bulletins
issued by Sciences Nat, Jmago and Alexanor, these will be found
useful.

For my part, I have never seen an imago of G. isabellae emerge, as I
have always sent off all my cocoons, for hybridisation and to enable
assembling experiments to be carried out.

Moon moth imagines

I have watched the imagines of different species of Moon moth emerge
on dozens of occasions, belonging to various genera (except Graellsia),
and all have been discussed in this article; I noticed that the wings of
these imagines always expand in the same way:

— first of all the front wings unfold,
— followed by the hind wings,
— and then the tails.

The wings can take from half an hour to expand fully (Actias
sinensis) to two hours (Argema mittrei).

| The reaction of imagines to tactile and sexual stimuli can vary greatly,
) depending on the genera.

| Argema species are just as placid (even the males) as Actias species
| are restless and cannot easily be approached or caught.

When I first bred A. mittrei, | brought my fingers close to the cocoon
, to which the male was clinging, and gently stroked its antennae. It
gently climbed onto one of my fingers and I found it very difficult to
induce it to let go. I carried out the same experiment with A. mimosae,
with the same result.

230 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society pe

Try to do likewise with a male A. selene or A. sinensis, and you will
see the difference; both males and females let go and drop to the
ground. They then beat their wings slowly and very frequently, each
time they turn round and usually irretrievably damage their wings.

Conclusion

I have bred other species of silk moths and Lepidoptera belonging to
other families, and it is very interesting to rear them. However, it gives
a thrill to my sense of beauty whenever I see an imago of A. selene
emerge and unfold its wings, and consider it to be one of the most
beautiful species of Lepidoptera in the world, even though it is very
common.

Hopefully, we shall soon see the publication of a work of reference
on these remarkable insects, the Moon moths, to inform and delight
many amateur breeders.

Hints to breeders to prevent predation by wasps when breeding
outdoors

I had sleeved about fifty larvae of Eupackardia caletta on a fine privet
shrub close to a wall. Every evening I went to inspect my larvae.
However, one evening when I went on my tour of inspection I was
most surprised not to find a single larva. And yet these larvae are very
conspicuous and they are one of the most highly-coloured of all the
silkmoth larvae.

I then noticed a hole of about 0.5cm* in the sleeve and at the same
time I saw a wasp enter an irregular opening in the adjoining wall. The
following morning I took a syringe and some insecticide with which to
destroy the wasps’ nest. All-my larvae were there, but obviously they
were dead. The wasps had paid their forfeit, but my breeding stock had
been completely destroyed. The breeder should also keep a sharp look-
out for ants and small spiders which feast upon young larvae and give
branches a good shaking before installing a sleeve, so as to dislodge
any likely predators.

[Translated from Jnsectes 86: 17-19 )1992) and reproduced with
permission from the author and OPIE.] é

a
ee

tf Volume 55 * October 1996 231

The long, hot summer of 1995.
A note on Mellicta athalia (the Heath fritillary)

by Don McNamara (5573)

6 Fulham Close, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 OSU.

Whether is it a mini-cycle of warmer weather or evidence of “global
warming” or not, it seems that unusual occurrences are becoming
commonplace.

I have had a small stock of Heath fritillaries originating from way
back in the mid-sixties, from an egg batch obtained from a gravid
female from the Blean Woods complex, Kent. Larvae have always spun
up around the end of August — early September and remain in their
hibernacula until about April the following year.

These are reared outdoors in large builders’ buckets planted out with
Plantago lanceolata (narrow-leaved plantain), with a central “pole”
holding up a tent of black, parasite-proof Terylene netting which is tied
down around the lip of the bucket. As adults emerge they are
transferred to a netted rectangular cage, about a metre cubed, with
potted plantain and nectar plants. The cage is placed in such a way as
to get at least three hours of direct sunlight and is lightly sprayed with
water in the late evening. I use the cultivated candytuft, an annual
which if planted the previous November will start flowering in April.
Stagger the planting and you can get flowers throughout the year.

The surprising ease with which these butterflies pair and lay in
“protective custody” seems at odds with their scarcity in the wild. Much
has been written about the particular needs of this insect, coppicing
policies, deleterious changes in land use and habitat destruction but
why not an off-site breeding programme where amateurs could be
involved?

However, in 1995 I had, for the first time, substantial numbers of
first-brood larvae going through and second-generation pairings which
have resulted in another brood, the larvae appearing in mid-September.
Not all the first brood reached maturity and now I had two broods
hibernating, the first generation larvae about one-third full grown
“snugeling-up” to tiny second-generation larvae. I wondered whether
the small larvae would catch up or whether there would be two
hatchlings of adults or whether there would be staggered emergences.

Another oddity — in my small pond frogs spawn most years and from
about February until April there is the usual squelching, plopping and
croaking but I’ve never heard croaking after the end of April. On the

232 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

lst October, an unusually warm day, a large common frog (Rana
temporaria) spent the early morning and late afternoon croaking almost
as if his life depended upon it. I have often seen fat females at this time
of year but no courtship behaviour. I wonder what would have
happened if there had been a few around. I’ve not seen any reference

to a second generation of this species either.

All listings should be sent to the Editor at AES, PO Box 8774, London
SW7 5ZG. Entries are free of charge.

November

2nd Derbyshire Entomological Society.
Annual Exhibition at Broomfield College, Morley, (on the A608)

near Derby. Open 11.30hrs to 17.00hrs. All welcome.
Information: Ian Viles 0115 944 3944 (W)

December

6th AES Council Meeting.
Baden-Powell House, London. Start 18.30hrs.

ly
> ee)
ary
f

pet hey

util
AA

ae Volume 55 ¢° October 1996 233

Notes on the reappearance of Lycaenid butterflies

by Ted Rimington (5269)

8 Riverside Drive, Sprotbrough, Doncaster DN5 7LE.

I was interested to read Peter Tebbutt's note (Bull. Amat. Ent. Soc.
54:(402) October 1995) on the reappearance of the Brown argus
(Aricia agestis) at sites in Leicestershire. It reminds me of similar
incidents which I have experienced with this species and with the
Lycaenids in general.

My parents retired to Eastbourne in 1970 and I have since been in the
habit of paying regular visits to the district in late May and often in
August. I quickly learned of and visited many of the best local butterfly
sites including Ashdown Forest, Abbott's Wood, Beachy Head, Firle
Beacon and various other downland sites at and around Eastbourne. In
those days the fritillaries were regularly met with, the Adonis blue
(Lysandra_ bellargus) flew in plenty and the Silver-spotted skipper
(Hesperia comma) could also be found where today, sadly, nostalgia
has largely taken their place. I also visited Vert Wood (Laughton).

In 1983 this latter site remained both pleasant and fruitful and in that
year I recorded thirty-one species of butterflies — excluding migrants —
in two or three visits and also an excellent second brood of Small
pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria selene) in late July; for a northerner,
an unexpected pleasure. More interesting, however, was the sudden
appearance of a healthy colony of agestis in early August of that year
in the wood, at a spot immediately adjacent to the crossroads near to
the old sawmill. This is an area that I have walked regularly over the
years and never have I seen the species there or anywhere else in the
wood before or since, although local lepidopterists may correct me on
iat score, Nor. did /l comfuse agesiis with the Common, blue
(Zolyommaius icarus) which, im my experience is very. rarely
encountered at Vert.

Interestingly, in August 1985 I observed several examples of the
butterfly at a restricted spot in Abbott's Wood, a locality which I had by
then visited many times without any sign of the species. Abbotts was
already in sad decline when I first knew it in 1970 due largely to the
activities of the Forestry Commission and my visits in recent years have,
therefore, become irregular. In any event I have never seen agestis
| there since. Small wonder the decline, I once spoke to a Head Forester
_ in Abbotts who replied to my protestations of vandalism, “we would
_ plant cabbages here if it paid”.

234 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae

The impact of the Vert sightings on me was quite startling and
though less dramatic, reminded me of the oft-quoted account by J.F.
Stephens of the explosive appearance and just as sudden disappearance
in 1827 of the White-letter hairstreak (S. w-album) at Ripley in Surrey
(Illustrations of British Entomology Vol. 1): “. . . [it] exceeded anything
of the kind I have ever witnessed .. .”.

This sort of behaviour by Lycaenids — though rarely so extreme as in
Stephen's account — is not unusual and is well-known to lepidopterists.
It is characterised by rapid and unexpected population fluctuation in
known colonies and the real or apparent emergence of new colonies,
occasionally in startling profusion. The effect is usually more impressive
when it occurs with naturally secretive species such as the hairstreaks
which may also be present at low density and, therefore, unrecorded. I
recall a most dramatic population explosion of w-album at a Doncaster
site — again in 1983 — while in 1991, after many years of virtual absence,
the Holly blue (C. argiolus) took off here only to collapse into obscurity
again with the summer brood of 1993. Yet again in 1983, the Green
hairstreak (C. rubi) was recorded for the first time ever at Thorne Moors
(Doncaster), an internationally famous site worked by naturalists for
two hundred years or more. I suspect that the butterfly has always been
there but that the activities of the peat cutters in recent years have
rendered spots of the moor now more suitable than previously. Neither
are more mundane Lycaenids immune. I have seen healthy colonies of
the Small copper (LZ. phlaeas) seemingly disappear temporarily while
nearby colonies continue to thrive oblivious and second broods of
icarus apparently go missing causing the unwary to declare the species
locally single-brooded. I think we have all seen similar incidents.

As to the foodplant, common rock-rose (H. nummutlarium) is absent
in Vert wood. To my discredit I did not search diligently for common
storksbill CE. cicutarium) but noted herb robert (G. robertianum).
However, as George Thomson says in his superb book, The Butterflies
of Scotland, much work requires to be done on the relationship of
artaxerxes to its foodplants and, therefore, of course agestis also.

Mr Tebbutt has a nice little project to hand — if the colonies will hang
around long enough for him to complete it.

Published 20th October 1996 by the Amateur Entomologists' Society
(Registered Charity No. 267430), from PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG.

——— an

Christmas

Entomological Fair

Granby Halls, Leicester

Sunday Ist December 1996
Doors Open 10.30 am until 4.30 pm
Admission £1.50 adults — 50p under 16’s

ALL MAJOR DEALERS IN ATTENDANCE

e Books and Periodicals e
e Live, set and papered specimens e
e Collecting and Breeding equipment e
e Large Reptile and Amphibian Section e

e Tarantulas, Scorpions, inverts of all kinds e

Bar, Refreshments
Full Cafeteria
Ample Street Parking

Enquiries: J. Harris, 01455 846310

Diary note: Spring Fair 1997 — Same venue March 23rd

THE AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’
SOCIETY

HANDBOOKS AND LEAFLETS

Habitat Conservation for Insects - A Neglected Green Issue. Essentiai reading
for all conservationists (Hardback 262 pages, 15 figs + 32 colour plates)

A Lepidopterist’s Handbook

Practical Hints for the Field Lepidopterist
Breeding the British Butterflies

Breeding the British and European Hawkmoths

Practical Hints for Collecting and Studying Micros

A Guide to Moth Traps and their Use

An Amateurs Guide to the Study of Genitalia of Lepidoptera ... (16 pp, 15 figs.)
A Silkmoth Rearer’s Handbook (Hardback, 225 pages + 32 colour plates)
Killing, Setting and Storing Butterflies and Moths (19 pages, 7 figs.)
The Study of Stoneflies, Mayflies and Caddis Flies (44 pages, 10 figs.)
Collecting and Studying Dragonflies (24 pages, 12 figs, 2 plates)
The Hymenopterist’s Handbook (226 pages, 39 figs)
Revised Flight Tables for the Hymenoptera (24 pages)
Rearing the Hymenoptera Parasitica (15 pages, 10 figs, 1 plate)
A Coleopterist’s Handbook (Hardback, 300 pages, illustrated)
Host plants of British Beetles (24 pages)
A Dipterist’s Handbook (ix + 255 pages, 100 figures)
Collecting Lacewings (9 pages, 8 figures, 5 plates)
Rearing and Studying Stick and Leaf-Insects (73 pp, 43 figs, 17 plates)
Rearing and Studying the Praying Mantids .............. (22 pages, 9-plates)

Rearing Crickets in the Classroom (12 pages, 2 plates)

Please write for a copy of the AES Prospectus which gives details of the
Society, Membership form and full list of Publications to:-

THE A.E.S
P.O. BOX 8774
LONDON SW7 5ZG

A NEW PUBLICATION FROM THE AMATEUR
ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY

A GUIDE TO MOTH TRAPS
AND THEIR USE

BY REG FRY AND PAUL WARING

All you want to know about lamps, moth traps and their practical use in
the field comprising iv + 60 pages, 8 plates and 21 figures.

The early sections deal with the measurement and properties of light
leading into the types of lamps available and the electrical circuits
needed to operate them. The next sections give constructional details of
the most popular traps used in the UK, ranging from the simplest, 1.e.
operating lights over sheets, to those commercially available such as the
Robinson and Skinner traps. The last half of the handbook deals with
the practical use of traps in the field including when and where to trap,
limitations of traps and their relative performance. Finally the last
section deals with types of moth traps and lures which do not employ
light, such as wine roping.

Price £5 to UK postal addresses, £5.50 overseas.

Also available back numbers of AES Bulletins as follows:
1987 and 1988 price per year £6 UK, £6.60 overseas (four Bulletins)
1989 to 1995 price per year £8 UK, £8.80 overseas (six Bulletins)

To order any of the above please send a cheque or postal
order in £ Sterling, made payable to AES Publications,
addressed to:

AES Publications, The Hawthorns, Frating Road,
Great Bromley, Colchester CO7 7JN.
Tel: 01206 251600.

Bulletin

of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society

CONTENTS

H.A. Ellis. Observations on Microplitis ocellatae, Bouché (Braconidae:
Microgastrinae), a gregarious endoparasitoid of the Poplar hawkmoth caterpillar,
Laothoe popoli UN. .ccc.:ss0 bs. tctsre ee

B. Gardiner. Alleged overcollecting: could we have evidence and understanding
PEASE? 5.0 ccsecseessesncscoccoseghicsesecpenssseeestevobseshigtedckessnsesseuensse< erst eae ee ee

S. Cole. Notes on the insects and other invertebrates of an urban house. .................

M. Lamour. Some observations on breeding Moon moths (Lepidoptera: Attacidae).
Part Mog icacsetasss tances saptsoasonastethshegsnesanedesyossoateaadiaseusvensyesewases on eeies <5 = eae arr

Short Communications
D. Owen. The rise and fall of Melanic peppered moths. ...............::esceeseesceenseeeseeeeees
J.L. Gregory. Notes and observations: Some unusual courtship behaviour. ...............
R. Hayward. webb’s wainscot — an unusual record. ............:ccscceeceeeeesseeseeeneeenseneasens
P. Sokoloff. Hibernating Heralds. 20. .20.5cile-ccn--seccscnsseatagsiecseee des conse ee
S. Irons. BDS Collective Knowledge Project update, Aeshna grandis, the Brown
NAWKEM: = bocsscseecscSteleovsocansstnetuss siz soeusstesiace aedtey 2cee ates
D. McNamara. Unusual pairing: male Cinnabar (Callimorpha jacobaeae) female
Scarlettiger (C. GOminula) 7. seiieslecrasces Dui cssdonaceshndesnesoncendespaestqeee= tee re
D. McNamara. The long, hot summer of 1995. A note on Mellicta athalia (the Heath
fritillary) ec. .tkescscccssesstescvccvec suchen stossnes uecclnyacncuancast tana. osasa je meecee a ten en
T. Rimington. Notes on the reappearance of Lycaenid butterflies. ..............:csseeeeeeee

EGitOF alo ius.s.cersssdcernedoavsestagevocousohnasuedsasseiosacelvtcg’taesantuseSeudsls Jae ene mee een ener

Book Review — Monographia Rhapalocerorum SinensiuM. .........c0:ccecceesseeseeeseeeeceeeeees

Obituary — H.G. Phelps of Crockerton, Wiltshire: ../......./.-2....s+ss-seeeeccesseeste = sea

Diary, Dates.’ .....0:..etcevectnonsstusengsusyaesoacavenpaveetuahentaeexdontsh/uucanconay” Gesceei: saeakie: ean
© 1996. The Amateur Entomologists' Society.

Printed by Cravitz Printing Co. Ltd., 1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA.

199

203
2tF

223

211
212
212
213
215
216

231
233

i fee

198

214

232

0
O
or
aa
ke
O
16
E
O
O
d
a)

rs
y
w

Founded in 1935

Where to write
For all Society business, please write to:
AES

PO. Box 8774
London SW7 5ZG

Telephone: 0976 828142

Officers of the Society

President:

Secretary:

Treasurer:

Registrar:

Bulletin Editor:
General Editor:
Advertising Secretary:
Exhibitions & Meetings Secretary:
Youth Secretary:

ICN Editor:

Wants & Exchange:

Habitat Conservation Officer:

Subscriptions:

Richard Jones
Wayne Jarvis
Andrew Locke
Nick Holford
Wayne Jarvis
Mike Bonsall
Rob Dyke
Maxwell Barclay
Darren Mann
David Lonsdale
Caroline Willmot

Martin Harvey

First subscription (including entrance fee) £12, or £8 under 18.

Renewals £10 or £6 under 18. Overseas members £12.
Family membership £15 (Includes Bulletin and Bug Club).
Overseas Family membership £17.

Subcription due by the 1st January each year.

Advertising Rate:

The following charges apply to adverts in the body of the

Bulletin. Full page £60, Half page £40, Quarter page £25. Insert
charges available on request to Advertising Secretary, address

as above.

Worldwide Butterflies

Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 4QN. Tel 01935 74608 Fax 29937

Colour

Catalogue
of livestock
specimens and
equipment.

Please mention
AES.
50p in stamps
would be greatly
appreciated.

ALSO

on request,
Specialist
Catalogues of
British, European
and Exotic
set and papered
specimens

“sit Worldlife

Registered charity

At Compton House, Nr. Sherborne, Worldlife
has evolved from Worldwide Butterflies.
As well as magnificent butterfly displays,
m% conservation organisations are showing what
“ais being done for the environment, and
ms? how all can become involved.

) Situated on A30 Yeovil-Sherborne Road.
| Open daily Apr-Sep. Tel 01935 74608

E.W. CLASSE Y LTD

ENTOMOLOGICAL BOOKS BY MAIL SINCE 1949

Antiquarian, second-hand and New books
Special offers and forthcoming book news
Booksearch service. Please send your “wants” list
Regular free catalogues and specialist lists

Books bought

Valuations

Oxford House,

Marlborough Street,
Faringdon,

Oxon SN7 7DR UK

Tel. 01367 244700 ‘Fax. 01367 244800

SCASONS Greetings

Jrom all at
Gravttz Printing Company Simited
C C

1 Tower Hill, Brentwood, Essex CM14 4TA. Tel: (01277) 224610 Fax: (01277) 262815

Volume 55 ¢ Number 409 December 1996

Editorial

Another year comes to a close and a new year dawns. With it, dawns a
new part of the Society, the AES Bug Club, which officially comes into
existence on the 1st January 1997. The response has been very good so
far, and we have enrolled a number of new members to the Society.
The Bug Club will produce six colourful newsletters per year and will
organise special events around the country. The renewal form, enclosed
with this Bulletin, also includes our new Family membership category,
which will give members a copy of the Bulletin and Bug Club News. All
subscription forms for 1997 should be returned to the Registrar as soon
as possible to ensure that you are on our February mailing list.

I would also like to thank all members who have written with regard
to the AES Trading Policy so far. There is still some time to write and let
us know what you think. Responses have been mixed so far — so let us
know your opinion!

Our Advertising Secretary, Rob Dyke is standing down from his post
at the AGM in April. We are, therefore, looking for someone to take his
place. If you are interested in this position on Council, drop us a line!

Finally, on behalf of the Society, may I wish you all a very Merry
Christmas and a prosperous and Happy New Year.

Wayne Jarvis

Secretary

Biilletin * &

of the Amateur ee aap

The cover of this issue of the Bulletin
features the Hoverfly
(Chrysotoxum bicinctum).

Photo: Robin Williams

236 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Le]

REPORTS OF THE SOCIETY 1995

Report of Council — 1995

Membership of the Society as at the 31st December 1995 was 1725; this
comprised eight Honorary, 57 Life, 13 Exchange, 11 Complimentary,
149 Juniors and 1487 Ordinary, Associate and Overseas Members.

The Council met of four occasions during the year at the London
Ecology Centre, Covent Garden, and the Methodist Central Halls in
Westminster. The Annual General Meeting was held in conjunction with
the Members’ Day at the Royal Entomological Society of London on the
22nd April. Michael Majerus and Richard Jones gave lectures.

In addition, a meeting was held in May by a specially formed Review
Sub-Committee to look into the modernisation and promotion of the
Society. Many proposals have now been passed by Council as a result,
and during the year many changes to the Society will be visible.

The Annual Exhibition was held at Kempton Park racecourse and
was once again a huge success. This was Roy McCormick’s final year as
Exhibition Organiser, and Council thank him sincerely for all of his
hard work over the years. The Society welcomed Maxwell Barclay as
his replacement in the newly created Exhibitions and Meetings
Secretary post. Council also welcomed Nick Holford to Council during
the year, but said farewell to Owen Lewis, Wendy Fry and Simon
Fraser.

Six Bulletins were issued during the year, along with three issues of
Invertebrate Conservation News in February, June and October.

Council reports with regret the death of Eric Bradford during 1995.
Eric, 74, had been involved with many natural history Societies, but had
a dedicated interest in the AES. He will be sadly missed.

Finally, the Society looks forward to the coming year with excitement
and anticipation of the changes which are set to take place.

Wayne Jarvis
Secretary

ad Volume 55 * December 1996 237

Report of the Treasurer — 1995

Accounts for 1995 have been prepared and audited. These show that
income from the activities of the Society in the year has decreased from
Ol Oo2m 10) 2627/5896) The! ‘decrease’ ‘is mainly due to «the: fall ‘in
subscription income reflecting decreased member numbers. Costs have
increased from £37,560 to £39,817 or by 6%. This has been attributable
in the main to increased Bulletin costs and the decision to help finance
Field Trips, to which the Society contributed £1,463 in the year. Overall
publications expenses fell, reflecting the dearth of new publications in
the year — against this, income from the sale of publications remained
steady, at £10,202 in 1995. Investment income increased in the year by
nearly £1,000 to £7,938. Overall the result for the Society was a loss of
&3,983 in the year, against a profit of £2,256 in 1994. The deficit has
been funded from the General Fund.

As a result of the loss in the year the net value of the Society has
decreased from £176,827 to £172,844. There have continued to be
additions to equipment owned by the Society to improve its availability
on Field Trips and this cost £1,414 in the year. The great majority of the
Society’s worth is in short-term investments, a total of £151,668. After
much debate the Society will now re-invest these funds with the object
of obtaining a better return. It is mindful of ethical investment and will
therefore take this into consideration in its investment choices. After the
year end the Society was most grateful to receive a bequest from the
late Eric Bradford of around £10,000.

In a broad context Council acknowledges its responsibility to further
the objects of the Society through its funds and is therefore moving
towards a more activity-based approach to achieving these aims.
Recently Council has considered sponsorship with the purpose of
encouraging more young people into the Society. There is also a
process of reform within the Society with the possibility of encouraging
those who give up time to assist with the Society by means of modest
payments. These developments are intended to move the Society gently
towards the 21st Century and to optimise the opportunities that its
funds represent.

Andrew Locke
Treasurer

238 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 4

Conservation Report for 1995

The AES Conservation Committee met twice in 1995, in February and
November, and the Society was represented at all five JCCBI meetings:
i.e. the main meetings of March and October, together with those of the
Executive Sub-Committee in May, September and November.

The business of these three committees overlapped considerably, but
the AES Committee has additionally dealt with several projects and
proposals which are of special interest to the Society’s members. One
of these was the Committee’s future status under the proposed re-
organisation of the Society’s Council and committees. Our Committee
has also reviewed progress in the production of Imvertebrate
Conservation News and the 2nd edition of Habitat Conservation for
Insects. We are glad to report that issues 16, 17 and 18 were published
as planned during 1995. Further work on the book is awaiting
completion of another of the Society’s publication projects. Resources
for displaying our ideas and our work at exhibitions and shows have
also been under review.

Another internal matter\ has ‘been the-setting up of <a) panel “to
administer the Cribb award, which will be a trophy presented to
individuals who have made outstanding contributions to invertebrate
conservation. Three expert members from outside the AES have agreed
to sit on the panel, and plans have been made for commissioning the
trophy and inviting nominations.

The remaining major activity within the Society has been the
development and expansion of the area representatives’ scheme,
Which is based on collaboration with the local wildlife trusts. Details of
this scheme have been supplied in JCN by our Habitat Conservation
Officer, Martin Harvey. There are now eleven representatives, several
of whom have supplied interesting reports of local activities for
publication in JCN. These’ activities include the monitoring of
invertebrates at local sites, including both existing nature reserves,
such as the RSPB’s Ouse Washes reserve, and also sites threatened by
development, including a Marsh fritillary habitat in Mid-Glamorgan.
Some of our representatives hope to run AES field meetings jointly
with their wildlife trusts, and these will be listed in the Society’s diary.
In 1995, Martin Harvey himself ran three such meetings. Our area
representatives welcome help from other AES members, and can be
contacted) directly of via Martin Harvey, A> meeunes or ine
representatives took place at the Society's annual exhibition in
October, and another is planned for 1990.

| Volume 55 ° December 1996 239

Turning to matters which we have pursued through JCCBI, we report
that the quinquennial review of Britain’s Wildlife and Countryside Act
(1981), has passed all its stages of consultation with organisations and
individuals. By the end of 1995 we were awaiting the publication of the
new schedules of protected species, based on the adjudication of the
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). Increased protection on
Schedule 5 of the Act was proposed for nine invertebrate species, as
explained in JCN 18. Also, removal from this schedule of the Act was
proposed for one species, the now extinct Vipers bugloss moth
(Hadena irregularis). We submitted some comments to JNCC, in which
we suggested that the proposals were unnecessarily strict for three of
the moths involved: the Southern chestnut (Agrochola haematidea), the
Fiery clearwing (Bembecia chrysidiformis) and Fisher’s estaurine moth
(Gortyna borelii). We also pointed out that the proposed full protection
for the Marsh fritillary butterfly (Eurodryas aurinia) might cause
concern amongst the many amateur entomologists who maintain
breeding stocks of this species, and who would be allowed to continue
doing so only on the basis of the current interpretation of the law,
rather than its strict letter.

We have, through JCCBI, also discussed the proposed licensing
system for the release into the wild of many butterfly species under a
revision of Schedule 9 of the Act. We understand that the proposal
would not fit in with official policy, since such measures were not
originally intended to apply to native British invertebrates. We have
been canvassing opinion on this matter within the Society, and have
found almost total rejection of the proposal, but general acceptance of
voluntary systems of control. Although voluntary controls have been
alleged to have failed, the current code of conduct and proposal
scheme appear not to be available readily enough, and we are
exploring ways of overcoming this deficiency.

Another topic related to legislation was the JCCBI policy document
on this subject. We are glad to report that the final draft was approved
by all the JCCBI member-organisations, and that it is now available for
publication. A copy will appear in JCN during 1996. An earlier JCCBI
publication, its guidelines for invertebrate surveys at individual sites,
was reproduced in ICN 17.

AS major area of discussion for the JCCBI has been the UK
Biodiversity Action Plan, official proposals for which were published at
the end of 1995. This specifies targets for the conservation of named
species and types of habitat to be incorporated within local plans to be

240 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Lt ]

run by voluntary bodies and local authorities. Despite many
deficiencies in the selection of invertebrates for inclusion, the Plan can
be welcomed as a very positive step, provided that resources are made
available to implement it. The Plan was the central theme in a
programme for an invertebrate conservation conference which was
planned for February 1996, and will therefore be mentioned in our 1996
report.

A European project which relates to the Biodiversity Action Plan is
the selection of “Special Areas of Conservation” (SACs, or “Natura 2000
Sites”), and an article on this by Alan Stubbs has appeared in ICN. It is
hoped that SACs, most of which will be based on existing SSSIs as far
as the UK is concerned, will be strongly protected against damaging

inadequacies regarding the selection of candidate SACs which have
special value for invertebrate conservation. There was very little
consultation with voluntary bodies and individuals, and the criteria for
site selection were inappropriate in some major respects. Nevertheless,
the statutory agencies have worked very hard for the inclusion of sites
that will be of value if they are designated. Meanwhile there are
continuing attempts to adapt the rules so as to include important sites
that do not currently qualify.

David Lonsdale (4137)

a Volume 55 ¢ December 1996 241

AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS’ SOCIETY
(Registered Charity No. 267430)

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Year ended 31st December 1995

Charitable Trustee’s Report
for the year ended 31st December 1995

Objectives
The purpose~of the Charity is to provide for the promotion and
dissemination of entomological knowledge by every means possible
and the encouragement among the younger generation of an interest in
entomology.

Review of Activities

A deficit of £3,983 arose in the year ended 31st December 1995 (1994
Surplus £2,250). During the year, the charity invested the funds
available to it in bank deposits, National Savings, Treasury Funds, and
Charifund Units. It is intended to reinvest funds in equities and gilts at
the earliest opportunity to increase investment income.

Trustee:
P.A. Sokoloff (appointed 7th December 1990).

Principal and Registered Address:

4 Steep Close,
Green Street Green,
Orpington BRO ODS.

Approved by the Trustee on 11th April 19960.

ati NH

Richard Jones, President

242 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society 3

Auditor’s Report
Amateur Entomologists’ Society

Report of the Auditor to the Members

I have examined the financial statements attached which: have been
prepared in accordance with the recommendations of SORP2.

I have audited the financial statements annexed in accordance with
approved Auditing Standards.

In my opinion, the financial statements, which have been prepared
under the historical cost convention, give a true and fair view of the
state of the Society’s affairs at 31st December 1995 and of its Income
and Expenditure for the year then ended.

Ala

Anthony J. Pickles
Chartered Accountant
200 Salisbury Road,
Totton,

Southampton SO4 3PE.

11th April 1996.

Volume 55 « December 1996

Balance Sheet — 31st December 1995

FIXED ASSETS

INVESTMENTS at cost

&/712 Treasury 12 3/4% 1995

£1,470 Treasury 9 1/2% 1999

109 M&G Charifund Income Units

National Savings and Midland Bank Investment Accounts

CURRENT ASSETS

Stocks of publications at cost
Debtors

Cash at bank

CREDITORS: amounts falling due within one year
NET CURRENT ASSETS
NET ASSETS

TRUST FUNDS

Note

1995
&

1,360

660
1,260
150
149,598

151,068

22,813
2,485
PAZ

26,470

(6,054)

& 19,816

£172,844

5 £172,844

243

1994
&

1,968

660
1,260
150
145,656

147,726

176,827

I approve these financial statements and confirm that, to the best of my
knowledge and belief, I have made available all relevant records and

information for their preparation.

A.J. Locke — Treasurer
Amateur Entomologists’ Society
11th April 1996

244 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ae

Notes and Accounting Policies
Year ended 31st December 1995

1. Accounting Policies

Basis of Accounting
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost
convention.

Income

Income represents amounts received in respect of the Society’s activities
from subscriptions, publishing and ancillary activities. Income also
arises from investments.

Depreciation
Depreciation is provided using the following rates and bases to write
off the cost of tangible assets over their estimated useful lives:

Equipment — 25% per annum on cost.

Stocks
Publications stocks are valued at the lower cost of and net realisable
value, having regard for age and condition.

2. Fixed Assets

1995 1994
Equipment Equipment

Cost 01 January 1995 6,671 4213
Additions 1,414 2,458
Cost 31 December 1995 8,085 6,671
Less: Depreciation (6,725) (4,703)
Net Book Value 31 December 1995 1,360 1,968
3. Debtors 1995 1994
Subscriptions - 2,276
Publications 2,486 3,090

Volume 55 ¢ December 1996

Notes and Accounting Policies — continued
Year ended 31st December 1995

4. Creditors 1995

Publications and printing

Subscriptions received in advance 6,349
Donations received in advance —
Other 305
6,054
5. Capital Funds 1995
&
General Fund:
Balance 01 January 1994 SDH
Add: Income for year —
Less: Deficit for year (5,707)
23,090
Life Membership Fund:
Balance 01 January 1994 and 31 December 1995 _—_—_7,656

Ansorge Award Fund:

Balance 01 January 1994 and 31 December 1995 362

Crow & Hammond Trust Fund:

Balance 01 January 1994 and 31 December 1995 79,676

Publication Fund:

Balance 01 January 1994 60,336

Add: Trading surplus for year 1,724
62,060

Total Capital Account & 172,844

362

79,076

58,610
L726

& 176,827

245

246 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Income and Expenditure Account
Year ended 31st December 1995

Income from activities

Membership income:
Subscriptions
Donations

Enrolment fees

Badges

Publishing income:
Sales
Increase in value of stocks

Other income:
Advertising revenue

Annual exhibition (net profit)

Less: Expenses

Bulletin costs:
Printing
Despatch

Membership services:
Registrar’s fees

Registrar’s expenses
Wants and exchanges lists

Administration:
Postage and stationery
Meetings’ expenses
Insurance

Sundry expenses
Depreciation

Field trips

1995
& &
13,698
1,283
319
101
15,401
10,202
10,202
1,954
339
2,293
27,896
15-159
4,320
(19,479)
Dio VA
1,269
597
(3,398)
1-701
2,429
551
296
2,022,
(6,999)
(1,463)

471

PAS DES)
498
83

1, 889

1994

13,018

(17,967)

(3,161)

(5,140)

ad Volume 55 * December 1996 247

Income and Expenditure Account
Year ended 31st December 1995 — continued

1995 1994
& & & &

Publications:
Printing 945 7,451
Decrease in value of stocks 3,452
Commissions on sale 4,081 3,841

Cry 3) 1 CEO)
(Loss) for the year on activities (11,921) (4,708)
Investment income gross:
National Savings and
Bank Deposit accounts 7,938 6,964
(Loss)/Profit for the year & (3,983) & 2,256

Interesting Notodontid moth found in north-west Somerset
by M.O. Hughes (3612)

“Elvira”, 1 Woodside Avenue, Kinmel Bay, Conwy LL18 5ND, Wales.

In the afternoon of 8th June 1996 I found an imago of the Bordered
straw moth (Heliothis peltigera Schiff.) outside a busy amusement
arcade/cafeteria in Regent Street, Weston-super-Mare.

South (1961) states “the species seems to be of fairly regular
occurrence in south-east Kent, Sussex, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, but
it has also been observed, more or less rarely, in many other English
counties, chiefly those on the coast; in Pembrokeshire and
Glamorganshire, South Wales; a few specimens have occurred in Co.
Cork and one in Co. Wicklow, Ireland”.

Skinner (1984) describes it as an immigrant and erratic visitor.

It is the first time in 38 years of recording that I have encountered it.

248 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society t |

Annual arrival of a strange monster
by Jeanette Hatto (9541)

“Silver Birches”, Rowhills, Heath End, Farnham, Surrey GU9 9AU.

Every year, sometime around the middle of August, I answer the warble
of the telephone only to hear an anxious-sounding voice addressing my
right.ear .with words such as. monster’,~usly , incredible’ and
“weird”. Well before we arrive at the magic word “Fuchsia”, I have
already guessed, as no doubt have my readers, that the caller is
referring to an Elephant hawkmoth larva in its final instar.

My 1995 example, banished by a keen gardener from her Farnham
plot, was released into my own garden on wild fuchsia, to fend for
itself, because I have recently confirmed the existence of a local colony.

My 1994 “monster”, expelled by a keen fuchsia grower from her
Farnborough greenhouse (Plates 96U & V, Figs. 1-4),was gladly
received into the vivarium on 12th August as a large, handsome and
healthy larva which fed voraciously on both wild and cultivated fuchsia
and rosebay willowherb, enjoying both the leaves and the flowerheads.

On 17th August, it became restless and emitted a
greenish fluid before it began spinning above the
soil and eventually producing a rough web against
the. side “of the tank on )}top—of the- peat and
incorporating some of the garden debris in the
tank the next day. On 23rd August, the larva
shed its skin and became a typical dullish-
> coloured, rough-skinned Elephant hawk
So pupa:
On--3rd., April” 1995;~ the’ yaupa, new
separated from its case for ease of checking and~ periodic
spraying with water, was observed wriggling furiously, moving some
two inches along the floor of the tank by 19th April and some eight
inches by 28th April. It was observed moving very strongly indeed —
jumping up and down and also twisting over and over.

On 3rd May it was “standing up”, head high. It continued to be active
until 21st May, by which time it was coloured a dark reddish-black all
over.

“H” day or “Hatching day” arrived on 23rd May 1995 (Plates 96U & V,
Figs. 1-4). Inflation was totally successful and the superb imago was
released in a suitable location.

ad Volume 55 ° December 1996 249

Some observations on the behaviour of the Hornet —
Vespa crabro L.

by John B. Garrett (6579)

52 Glebelands, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 2]].

In spite of having a southern distribution, hornets have not been
reliably reported from my home county of Sussex for at least sixty
years. This is a disappointment for entomologists, but no doubt a great
relief for everyone else, because although hornets are relatively docile
creatures their large size and fearsome appearance invariably causes
alarm (Plate 90W, Figs. 5 & 6). In this country I have seen them with
some regularity on the Devon/Somerset border, but even here they are
not common. In France, on the other hand, they are widely distributed
and frequently encountered. I have lived under the same roof as a
hornet colony in Burgundy and watched a nest in an old stone well-
Meade) Provence. In! 1995 they shared my interest in the rich
invertebrate life of a neglected meadow nest to the River Erdre in Loire-
Atlantique. Here butterflies such as the Swallowtail (Papilio machaon),
the Map (Araschnia levana) and the Cardinal (Pandoriana pandora)
were much in evidence, together with other spectacular insects which
included the hoverfly (Volucella zonaria), known to be an inquiline of
vespid species. Nevertheless, my attention was increasingly drawn to
the hornets. They would appear every few minutes, seeming to drone
aimlessly through the dense vegetation. However, in my experience
only humans are capable of aimless behaviour! So what were the
hornets doing?

The meadow in question had not been grazed for a number of years
and apart from grasses, the dominant plants were purple loosestrife
(Lythrum salicaria), meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and hedge
bindweed (Calystegia sepium). The loosestrife, in particular, was a great
attraction for nectaring insects. The immediate surroundings consisted
of light deciduous woodland and the adjacent river provided an
additional source of insect life which included vast swarms of the
mayfly, Epboron virgo.

Hornets were encountered so frequently that at the time of my visits
in late August I concluded that this was the preferred destination for the
local populations, presumably because it could provide them with
maximum food for minimum effort. I became ever more curious about
the nature of the food source and I also wanted to know whether they
were feeding themselves, their larvae, or both. Adult hornets are

250 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society t ]

prevented from swallowing solid food by the narrowness of their
oesophagus and the constriction of the petiole (wasp waist). They
require energy-producing carbohydrates rather than body-building
proteins and it is doubtful whether they possess the enzymes needed to
assimilate protein. Larvae, on the other hand, do need protein and can
ingest both solid and liquid food. Knowledge of a food ‘source can
therefore suggest its destination.

Flowers were clearly of no interest as providers of nectar and were
totally ignored unless a visiting insect drew attention to itself by moving
at an ill-advised moment. The hornets would then engage in_half-
hearted pursuit, but lacking the aerial agility of many of the potential
victims these forays seldom ended in success. Even butterflies could
escape. I watched a Sooty copper (Heodes tityrus) avoid capture by
suddenly changing direction just before the predator closed in. Pursuit
was immediately abandoned, the hornets reverting to what was
obviously considered a more rewarding activity, no doubt involving
more substantial prey. The nutritional value of a small insect would
hardly justify the expenditure of much energy in its capture.

At this point I should mention another very noticeable denizen of the
meadow. Every two or three metres I would find a characteristically
reinforced orb web. Spread-eagled in the centre of each web was a
large yellow and black spider, a female Argiope bruennichi (Scopoli).
These webs were constructed at just the height favoured by the cruising
hornets! Here indeed was a succulent meal for a large wasp. One step
up the food chain from the smaller nectaring insects, her capture would
be altogether more energy efficient. Could it be that she was the main
attraction?

Suddenly a vicious skirmish caught my attention. A Meadow brown
(Maniola jurtina) had blundered into a bruennichi web constructed
amongst the flowerheads in a clump of common fleabane (Pulicaria
dysenterica). The web’s owner made a dash to incapacitate the hapless
victim before it could break free. This was decidedly unwise for at that
precise moment a hornet chanced by. Attracted by the struggle it
literally pounced on the spider, totally ignoring the Meadow brown
which then managed to escape unharmed. A spilt second later it was all
over. The spider was decapitated by a single bite through the pedical
and the large abdomen was then manoeuvred so that it could be firmly
gripped between the hornet’s two front legs, the remaining four
providing a secure anchorage on a fleabane leaf. During the next few
minutes the spider’s abdomen was slowly and skillfully rotated so that

tf Volume 55 * December 1996 251

the entire surface could be chewed. It was then dropped, whether by
accident or design I do not know, and the hornet proceeded to clean
its mouthparts in readiness for the next kill. The whole drama was
carried out with such ruthless efficiency that it must surely have been
enacted many times before. None of the spider’s flesh was taken away
and the presumption must be that the meal consisted entirely of
protein-rich liquid or pulp derived from the abdominal musculature.
This would have been stored in the crop and taken back to the nest,
regurgitated and fed to the growing larvae.

The following day I witnessed a similar attack, but this time the
spider was too quick for the hornet and fled into the shelter of
surrounding vegetation. The frustrated predator was nevertheless an
opportunist and remained to chew the small fly which had just been
ensnared. Although bruennichi webs are strong they are not intended
for very large prey and present no obstacle to hornets which can break
free with consummate ease.

These observations suggested that the primary source of liquid
protein was indeed provided by A. bruennichi. Sadly, limitations on my
time made additional fieldwork impossible and my supposition could
be tested no further. It is likely that similar behavourial patterns would
be found in other habitats where the two species co-exist in any
numbers. The spiders seem unable to put up any physical resistance to
these attacks and might well get stung if they attempted to do so, but it
is hard to believe that they have failed to develop any protective
mechanisms. What might these be?

The spiders make no attempt to hide — they remain for long periods
in the centre of their webs so that they can detect the smallest vibration
from any direction. This enables them to locate and incapacitate
ensnared prey with minimum delay. We know that the compound
insect eye is more likely to register movement than static shapes, and it
would therefore be doubly advantageous for a spider to remain
stationary whenever possible. Firstly, it would avoid the risk of
deterring small insect prey which might otherwise collide with the web,
and secondly it would reduce the chance of detection by predator
species. The expectation that spiders would show a reluctance to move
is borne out by field observation. Daytime activity is normally only
triggered by the characteristic vibrations emanating from a small
struggling insect. It is even possible that the spider’s passivity may be
reinforced by awareness of hornet proximity. Certainly web impact
caused by a blundering hornet would be in stark contrast to the

252 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ad

diminutive tensions and tremblings following ensnarement of small
insect prey. Sure enough, if a curious entomologist strikes a web
sharply the spider will generally remain motionless, but when a web is
“tickled” with a grass blade to simulate the struggles of a small insect it
is usually possible to elicit movement. But even the near approach of a
hornet can probably be detected. During flight these heavy insects
cause enough downdraught to move nearby leaves and flower heads.
Again, a simple test — blowing on the web — will not induce the spider
to move. Extremely fine hairs on the legs, known as trichobothria, can
detect the minutest air currents and it may well be that bruennichi is
conditioned to associate particular patterns of localised turbulence with
danger. Furthermore, oscillograph traces made from recordings of insect
flight depict distinguishing “sound signatures” for different species, the
hornets being no exception. It would be well within the spider’s
capabilities to sense and decode these sound patterns because the ultra
sensitive tricobothria are of varying lengths, each being tuned to
particular frequency range.

So much for my observations on attack and defence in relation to the
procurement of liquid protein needed by the hornet larvae, but how
were the adults feeding themselves? They would need a carbohydrate
intake but showed no interest in nectar sources. Honeydew on nearby
oak trees was probably being used, but I could not be certain of this.
However, I did manage to discover one source before I finally left the
meadow. A small number of ash (Fraxinus excelsior) saplings had
become established, each around three or four metres high, and I
noticed hornets routinely flying to some of these. Their flight was quite
different from that of the protein seekers, being higher, faster and more
direct. Close inspection of the trunks revealed rectangular scars about
six centimetres high and two centimetres wide where hornets had
gnawed the outer layers as far as the hard xylem. The material which
had been removed would not be suitable for nest building because
wood pulp is only made from decaying or weathered timber. Clearly
these were feeding stations. Four or five hornets could be found
clustered around the top and bottom of each wound, never the sides,
eagerly exploiting the sugars conveyed in the tree’s phloem just
beneath the bark. Flies were also attracted and fed alongside the
hornets, but all these insects seemed to be oblivious of each other in
their single-minded obsession with the ash-sap.

Many years ago Donisthorpe recorded hornets “ringing” ash twigs in
Windsor Great Park and there are other records of hornets feeding on

;

t Volume 55 »* December 1996 253

sap exuding from damaged oak and elm trees. I could find no evidence
of “twig-ringing” on these French trees, the insects were all
concentrating on the trunk wounds, nor could I establish whether they
chose ash trees for preference or simply because these were the only
trees in the meadow young enough to have thin, vulnerable bark.

It is one of the great fascinations
of entomology that finding the
answer to one question merely
begets a whole series of new
questions and hypotheses. I can
make little additional progress until
I return to the meadow, but in the
meantime perhaps there are some
hymenopterists amongst the AES
membership who can elaborate on
the behavioural patterns which I
have described.

Bus stop entomology
by Frank McCann (6291)

3 Langhbar Path, Easterhouse, Glasgow G33 4HY.

On 7th June this year whilst waiting at a bus stop near Milngavie for a
bus to Glasgow I noticed a caterpillar on the underside of an elm leaf
on a tree growing behind the bus shelter. I took it from the tree and
discovered it was a larva of the Brindled beauty moth. It fed very well
on elm in captivity and later I released it onto a lime tree near my
house.

The next day whilst waiting for another bus at Cumberland Road,
next to Alexandra Park, I collected a Common carpet moth which was
resting on the pavement next to the bus stop. A few days later I was
once again standing at a bus stop at Edinburgh Road near my house in
Easterhouse when I noticed on the wall across from the bus stop a
small micro-moth, which I put into a small jar and identified it at home
aS a common species in Europe known as Dichrorampha petiverella. It
has small yellow-gold markings — one on each of the very dark
forewings. The larvae of this species feed in roots of yarrow and ox-eye
daisy, yarrow is common on the roadside verges and banks where I
found the moth.

254 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society t

Pieris mannii and other animals on Corfu in May 1995 — Part 2
by Rob Parker
2063 Washington Street, Beck Row, Suffolk IP28 8EX.

[The last few pages ot Rob Parker’s article were inadvertently omitted from Volume 55
(August 1996), and are added here as a supplement. — Ed_]

Checklist of the butterflies of Corfu
RP, May 1995 =m
AHD, September 1995 = s

m Melitaea cinxia (Linnaeus, 1758)
M. phoebe (Denis & Schiffermuller], 1775)

m s WM. didyma (Esper, 1778)
m Melanargia larissa (Geyer, [1828])
m s_ Hipparchia syriaca (Staudinger. 1871) — Identified in the field,
Kassiopi
H. semele (Linnaeus, 1758) — See text
H. volgensis (Mazochin-Porshnjakov, 1952) — See text
H. statilinus (Hufnagel, 1766)
m s Maniola jurtina (Linnaeus, 1758)
Hyponephele lupina (Costa, 1836) — New record, see text
Pyronia cecilia (Vallantin, 1894)
m s Coenonympha pamphilus (Linnaeus, 1758)
m Pararge aegeria (Linnaeus, 1758) — Mon Repos only
m s_ Lasiommata megera (Linnaeus, 1767)
m s_ JL. maera (Linnaeus, 1758)

Kirinia roxelana (Cramer, [1777])

Checklist of the erroneous and doubtful species records for Corfu
(with bibliographical references)

Gegenes nostrodamus (Fabricius, 1793) — (Mathew, 1898)
Erynnis tages (Linnaeus, 1758) — (Staudinger, 1870)
Carcharodus lavatherae (Esper, 1783) — (Staudinger, 1870)
C. flocciferus (Zeller, 1847) — (Galvagni, 1934-1935)

Leptidea duponcheli (Staudinger, 1871) — (Koutsaftikis, 1974a)
Colias alfacariensis (Ribbe, 1905) — (Koutsaftikis, 1974a)
Pieris ergane (Geyer, [1828]) — (Norris, 1891)

Euchloe tagis (Hubner [1804]) — (Norris, 1891)

a Volume 55 ° December 1996 255

Satyrium w-album (Knoch, 1782) — (De la Garde, 1899)

Scolitantides orion (Pallas, 1771) — (Staudinger, 1870)

Glaucopsyche melanops (Boisduval, [1828]) — (Norris, 1891; Smith, 1987)

Argynnis adippe (Linnaeus, 1767) — (Koutsaftikis, 1973; Baldock &
Bretherton, 1981)

Melitaea trivia ((Denis & Schiffermiuller], 1775) — (Staudinger, 1970)

Hipparchia fagi (Scopoli, 1763) — (Norris, 1891; Mathew, 1898; Rebel,
1910: all records probably referable to H. syriaca).

Postscript
Another visit to Corfu by Peter Taylor was made in June/July 1996, and
the reference on p181 to his records can now be updated:

Lycaena thersamon, Quercusia quercus, Pieris ergane
by Peter Taylor (unpublished).

References

Baldock, S.W. and Bretherton, R. (1981). Butterflies in Corfu (Kerkyra) in late August with
a provisional list of all species known from it. Trans. Br. Ent. Nat. Soc. 14: 1981; 8-10 &
101-107.

Coleman, N. and Mewton, C. (1991). Corfu. Windrush Island Guides.

Coutsis, J.G. and Olivier, A. (1993). Confirmation of the presence of both Gegenes pumilio
and G. nostrodamus on the Greek island of Crete. Phegea 21(4): 101-107 (1st Dec.
1995):

Cribb, P.W. (1991). The problems of the Dappled white's name and status. Bull. amat.
Ent. Soc. 50(376): 101-104.

Durrell, G. (1956). My Family and Other Animals. Penguin Books.

Kurdrna, O. (1977). A Revision of the Genus Hipparchia Fabricius. E.W. Classey.

McLean, I.F.G. (1983). Spring Butterflies in Corfu. Proc. Trans. Br. Ent. Nat. Hist. Soc.
16(983): 53-54.

Olivier, A. (1987). Catalogue of the Butterflies of the Greek Islands in the Collection of
the Institute Voor Taxonomische Zoologie Amsterdam. Phegea 15(2): 77-78 (1st April
1987).

— , (1993). The Butterflies of the Greek Island of Rhodes. Viaamse Vereniging voor
Entomologie, Antwerp.

— , (1995). Personal Communication including Corfu Checklist.

Owen, D.F. (1991). Can Danaus chrysippus (L.) establish itself in Europe? Ent. Gaz. 42:
SID)

Parker, R. (1983). The Butterflies of Cyprus. Ent. Gaz. 34: 17-53.

Showler, A.J. (1984). Further Records of Spring Butterflies in Corfu. Proc. Trans. Br. Ent.
Nat. Hist. Soc. 17: 30.

Tolman, T. and Bernhard, T. (1994). Significant extensions to the known range of
Anthocharis damone (Boisduval, 1836) in Greece. Phegea 22: 177-80.

Vanholder, B. (1993). Danaus chrysippus (Linnaeus, 1758) en andere trekvlinders op
Kerkira (Corfu) Phegea 21(2): 44.

Withrington, D. (1995). Corfu in late September — Butterflies. Bull. amat. Ent. Soc..54:
2».

256 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ad

Invertebrate Collection
National Avian Research Centre
United Arab Emirates

by John E. Cooper, Programme Manager

The National Avian Research Centre (NARC) is a research organisation
dedicated to the economically sustainable use of wildlife. NARC is
based in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and was
established by Royal Decree in December 1989.

Although primarily concerned with birds and, in particular, with
bustards and falcons, NARC has broad interests in desert ecology and
the conservation and management of wildlife. During the first three
years of its existence NARC included in its ecological programme
research on invertebrates and, as a result, an impressive collection was
amassed. |

The Invertebrate Collection at present comprises the following:

e Set specimens, primarily insects of different orders, in a large multi-
drawered entomological cabinet.

e Fixed specimens, mainly arachnids, in alcohol.

e Unset and unfixed specimens of different arthropods frozen for
examination and subsequent mounting or preparation.

The NARC Invertebrate Collection is under the
supervision of the Department of Ecology. It is
available for study and use by bona fide scientists,
professional and amateur. In return for having
access to the collection, visitors are asked to assist
in its curating and maintenance since, at the present
time, NARC has no full-time entomologist on_ its
staff.

The Invertebrate Collection is situated at the
Sweihan Research Station which is 55km from the
city of Al Ain in Abu Dhabi Emirate.

For further information about the invertebrate
collection and enquiries concerning access to it
should be addressed to:

The Head, Department of Ecology, National Avian
Research Centre, P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, UAE:

1
i
1

| | Volume 55 * December 1996 257

The Gold Bug of Edgar Allan Poe: Fact or fiction?
by John Hay

336 Glasgow Road, Ralston, Paisley, Strathclyde PA1 3BH.

Several recent visits to the Ohio State University at Columbus have
permitted further pursuit of an entomological conundrum which, to me
at least, holds considerable fascination. This entails essentially, the
quest to discover what species Cif indeed there is one) is The Gold Bug
of Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) short story fame (see Poe, 1983, for the
unabridged tale, originally published in 1843). The Insect Collection of
the University’s Museum for Biological Diversity seemed like the place
where clues to the identity of the gold bug might be obtained. Through
the auspices of the Museum’s curator, Dr Charles A. Triplehorn, I was
able to compare the morphological description of Poe’s “Gold Bug”
with specimens in the Museum’s extensive archive of insects native to
the USA.

The tale of “The Gold Bug” is basically one of a search for the buried
treasure of the notorious pirate, Captain Kidd. It is, however, really an
extensive ratiocination (May, 1991), where it is necessary for complete
enjoyment of the narrative, to solve various cryptograms, in order to
unearth the whereabouts of the stash. The gold bug, which in fact has
little to do with the storyline, is more or less a red-herring (please
forgive the mixed metaphor!). Neither is it a bug in the entomological
sense; what is described in the tale, are features consistent with those
of a coleopteran. But which one?

Poe (though his character Legrand), tells the reader that the “bug” “is
of a brilliant gold — about the size of a large hickory-nut — with two jet-
black spots near one extremity of the back, and another, somewhat
longer, at the other.” These latter features give to the dorsal aspect of
the insect features reminiscent of “a skull, or a death’s head”. The “bug”
was “identified” as “Scarabaeus caput hominis (head-of-a-man beetle).”
According to the text, it was a voracious creature actually attacking its
discoverer’s head on one occasion. So what is this species of insect;
does it actually exist within the imagination of Poe? There appear to be
four leading contenders (Figure 1).

One prima facie candidate is the Goldsmith beetle (Cotalpa lanigera,
family Scarabaeidae) (Saylor, 1940). This insect is approximately 20-
26mm long, fairly heavy, and basically oval in shape. The head, thorax
and scutellum are yellow to greenish in colour and have a metallic
lustre. The elytra are yellow to beige. This species is favoured by some

258 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ad

Figure 1. Major contenders of the role of gold bug:

1. Metriona bicolor, 2. Geotrupes splendidus, 3. Pelidnota punctata; 4. Cotalpa lanigera.

entomologists (Milne & Milne, 1980) as being the actual gold bug of the
tale of that name. It has, however, none of the markings attributed to
the scarab in the Poe story. The related Grapevine beetle, 18-25mm
long (Pelidnota punctata, family Scarabaeidae), has some of the
required features. This beetle has two black dots on the sides of the
pronotum and a further three black dots on the side of each elytron.
The top of the head and the scutellum are greenish-black, however,
and the elytra are brownish-yellow to a dull-red in colour, thus
eliminating it as a candidate for the role of the gold bug.

On patterning alone, another possibility would be the Golden
tortoise beetle (Metriona bicolor, family Chrysomelidae). This is a brass
coloured insect in life Gt becomes a dull reddish-brown, post mortem).
It also has the synonym “gold bug” (Arnett, 1968). It is altogether too
small at 5-Omm, however, to be a serious contender to fit Poe’s overall
description of the gold bug.

The Glossy pillbug (Geotrupes splendidus) is another scarab with
possibilities. It is some 13-18mm in length, and can be bright bronze in
colour, although it is more commonly metallic greenish-purple in
colour. Again, however, the jet-black spots are notably absent, with the
elytra instead being deeply pitted in rows running lengthwise along the
dorsal aspect of the insect.

259
| | Volume 55 * December 1996

It is apparent that none of these beetles matches completely Poe’s
description of the gold bug. One possibility, although considered
unlikely, is that it was a sport form of one of the aforementioned
species. So, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, should we
conclude that the gold bug is a figment of the author’s imagination,
being as one author has suggested (Allen, 1949), a composite species
comprising the morphological and (behavioural) features of a number
of different coleopteran species? One such example suggested in
Allen’s biography of Poe is a hybrid consisting of the gold coloration
of Cotalpa laningera with the distinct markings characteristic of the
25-44mm long black coloured Eastern eyed (big eyed) click beetle
(Alaus oculatus, family Elateridae), especially the presence on the
pronotum of two large velvety black eyespots which are surrounded
by a dense ring of white scales. The latter represents the well-known,
“eye-spots” mimicry patterning observed on other insects, such as
butterflies and caterpillars, as well as other animals such as peacocks
(Wickler, 1968).

In my opinion the jury is still out in the case of the gold bug and I
for one shall continue to use my imagination in an attempt to solve the
mystery concerning the “true” identity of this elusive and fascinating
insect.

References

Allen, H. (1949). Israfel: The Life and Times of Edgar Allan Poe. Rinehart & Company, Inc,
New York. pp. 174-178.

Arnett, R.H. Jr. (1968). The Beetles of the United States (A Manual for Identification). The
American Entomological Institute, Michigan.

May, C.E. (1991). Edgar Allan Poe. A Study of the Short Fiction. Twayne Publishers,
Boston.

Milne, L. & Milne, M. (1980). National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American
Insects and Spiders. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., New York.

Poe, E.A. (1983). The Unabridged Edgar Allan Poe. Running Press, Philadelphia.

Saylor, L.W. (1940). Synoptic revision of the beetle genera Cotalpa and Paracotalpa of the

United States, with description of a new subgenus. Proceedings of the Entomological
Society of Washington, 42: 190-200.

Wickler, W. (1968). Mimicry in Plants and Animals. Weidenfeld & Nicholson,
London.

260 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society a

In search of the 4-fold net
by Leigh Plester (2968)

BioFilm Ltd., Yla-Muuratjarvi, FIN-41800 Korpilahti, Finland.

Whatever happened to the four-foldGing) butterfly net of the 1950s-60s?
This was a particularly handy implement for an obvious reason — it
could be assembled or stowed away in half a minute. A quick change
of net bag and you had a fish net, or even a sweep net. With butterfly
nets apparently now frowned upon among the UK’s tarmac jungles, the
advantages of the disappearing act are obvious.

Having carried kite-nets in the tropics on numerous occasions, I feel
that the benefit of the extra size of these nets is outweighed by their
clumsiness, air resistance and inconvenience to other people when one
has to stop to fit the contraption together and later to put it away in a
haversack. They are particularly unwieldy when used among thorny
shrubs like rattan and generally arrive home leaving you wondering
which was the original opening. Inevitably, that gynandromorph
birdwing flits by just as you have pulled the frame sections out of the
hem. Moreover, a kite net only just fits into my largest suitcase (minus
thestermile).

In Lapland, the round frame of the 4-fold model fitted the shoulders

better when the net was draped over one’s wide-brimmed hat
to ward off mosquitoes. Nowadays they make hats with
mosquito net “veils” built in, but it
ain't half hard to catch things
with them.

The 4-fold pattern worked
perfectly well for us until my
school friend David Gadd broke
the frame of his Corsica in '62 and I

lost the last surviving ferrule on a
clearcut in Finland during the early
'80s. Since then, I have attempted to buy

such a net (or even a frame) in both the

West and Far East, all to no avail. Fishing
tackle. ‘shops offers) only) plastic (ok
aluminium non-folding fish nets.

We are continually informed that the economic situation in Europe is
poor. Who is going to start supplying this most useful implement again
and make him(her)self a mint? Bags me the first one!

a Volume 55 * December 1996 261

Perching to advantage?
The Purple hairstreak (Quercusia quercus).
Observations during July/August 1996 on a Common by the M25

by Anthony Crawford

42 Bulstrode Court, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire SLO 7RT.

The Purple hairstreak was first noticed during the afternoon on a sunny
day in mid-July. It was at low level on a small oak tree about two
metres tall and this specimen had obviously strayed from much higher
oaks which were adjacent.

On following the flight of this specimen when it was disturbed I
noticed others flying about the taller oaks (estimated at ten metres).

Later that day, and accidentally as it happened, I again noticed Purple
hairstreaks flying around the taller oaks in the vicinity of the original
sightings. This was much later in the day (19.45hrs) and the weather
conditions were fine, clear and warm.

Further investigation showed many oaks of ten metres and more to
be infested with the butterflies. As the sun went down they could be
seen in large numbers flying around the tops of the trees and groups of
ten or more butterflies were a common sight as they appeared to chase
each other around the summit.

There was no way of identifying their sex but quite lengthy
observation, brought about by the spectacular nature of the sightings,
indicated that there was a purpose to what was being witnessed.

The flights and groups were all on the extreme west side of the
tallest oak trees. The areas where these flights were observed were
without exception the last areas of the trees to remain in the fading
sunshine as the sun set but the butterflies were chasing each other
around to settle for the night on the east side of the trees. It seemed
that a prime perch was secured by a butterfly, or a number of
butterflies, which were then disturbed by another or others looking for
similar perches. A territorial chase would take place as the disturbed
chased the disturbers away from the prime location. They then seemed
to return to the original location but there was no way of determining if
the original perchers regained their territory.

It was assumed that these perches must have had some advantage if
the activity to defend them was so active. Perhaps the reason was a
prime position to obtain every benefit from the rising sun the following
day?

262 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society L ]

These aerial acrobatics were observed for the rest of the month at
about the same time each day and the observations indicated vast
numbers of butterflies in the area. Early in August the same
observations were made in the Ashclyst forest in Devon.

During the early part of August there was a drop in the temperature
when heavy rain may have washed away the honeydew from the host
oak trees. After this the butterflies seemed to disperse over a wider area
but they remained in evidence although not with the same density as
had been seen before when every tree on the ten acre common must
have supported at least 100 of them.

A Spanish phenomenon — answers please
by Ilse Danby

6 Collingwood Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 2]P.

I experienced a phenomenon on a recent holiday in the Spanish
Pyrenees and hope that an explantation might be forthcoming from
members.

It was during the last week of August. The summer had been wet
and mild. The soil was beginning to dry out and the countryside was as
green and luscious as I had never seen it before, although the
Pyrenaian peaks still wore ragged caps of snow from last year.

I was standing on our terrace just before sunset. The sky was clear
and there was a light breeze. It had not been too hot during the day.
Then I saw something totally unreal, undreamed of by science fiction.

Moving from one mountain valley to the other, at a distance of about
200 feet from me, were rotating funnels or cones of thousands of
reddish insects, dancing and bobbing up and down, and hovering
along in the same direction, like ghosts of space ships. There were
hundreds of these funnels, each one measuring about two feet in depth
and one across their flat top and each one carrying thousands of
insects. So, there must have been millions of insects on the move. If
attacked by swifts, each funnel scattered and reformed immediately
afterwards to resume its rhythmic transport to the next valley or
beyond.

What was it and why was it doing it? What if it had turned around,
invaded our house and devoured me?

Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Fig. 2. Having emerged, the wings are inflated.

PLATE 96U

Volume 55 * December 1996 a4

Fig. 4. The Elephant hawkmoth.

PLATE 96V

Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society

Fig. 6. A close-up of the Hornet — their appearance and size often causes alarm.
Photo: Nick Holford.

PLATE 96W

Volume 55 * December 1996

Figs. 7 & 8. A mining bee of genus Andrena. Photo: Nick Holford.

PLATE 96X

2 Volume 55 * December 1996 263

Unwelcome visitors from Australia: Polistes (Hymenoptera)

by Steve Eden

14 Stafford Street, Waihi, B.O.P., New Zealand.

We all sometime or other encounter unusual, interesting or even
beautiful insects from far off places. I have read of the “nice” imports
that the old country (England) has looked forward to for many decades
now. However, I look forward to the butterflies such as the Painted
lady skipping across the coast from Australia. We have had a number of
Hymenoptera in the form of parasitic social wasps that are only too
willing to come without a visa or other recommendations. I have
noticed One wasp in particular, hawking the foodplant of the Copper
butterfly Rauparaha. | mentioned in passing this fact to Dr George
Gibbs, and he said that he was not surprised. He also stated that this
wasp is parasitic of the Monarch butterfly. The wasp that I am referring
to is the Chinese paper wasp (Polistes chinensis).

My wife and I took particular notice of the comings-and-goings of
this wasp. It was this step-up of vigilance of wasps that made me
realise that New Zealand was under scrutiny by other “bad eggs” of
the Hymenoptera group of insects. So I undertook the pleasant task of
catching, setting, cataloguing and then painting illustrations onto plates
making up the heading of New Zealand parasitic wasps and
ichneumon flies, which the Auckland Museum is helping me to

identify.

The Chinese paper wasp makes the usual cup-shaped nest which is
attached to a branch by means of the petiole. However, I must state
here that this social wasp has a nest that, so far as I have observed, is
quite somewhat larger than the Tasmanian paper wasp, the former
making their nests of a diameter of 80mm (3") or smaller. One nest of
this size found in my garden had 62 wasps on it. The body-length of
the insect is from 13mm up to 17mm and is coloured black and yellow,
with light orange legs. Its temperament is quite docile compared to that
of the German wasp. I[ saved the nest mentioned above, and mounted
the wasps on top of it.

The Chinese paper wasp has probably been around for a few years,
yet I have failed to notice it flying around in the gardens. Last winter
was a kind winter, so our immigrant lost no time with the pleasantries
and got on with the job of procreation. Now it appears that ours was
not the only garden to contain a nest, three being found this season
within our littke township of Waihi. In May each nest sported between

264 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe

30 and 60 adults. However, it is now late May and there are no wasps
to be found. This wasp feeds on other less fortunate insects by
hawking the foodplants. Upon finding the larvae of butterflies she sets
to and quarters them up and takes these pieces back to feed her
young.

Butterflies wishing to gain a foothold (especially the Monarch) and
then build up their numbers face two problems. The first being, the
swan plant does not grow naturally in New Zealand so the Monarch
has to rely on the kindness of butterfly lovers. The second problem is
that other unwanted immigrants have decided to join their friends in a
headlong rush to set themselves up as well. Thus we have the
Tasmanian paper wasp Polistes tasmaniensis finding the climate quite to
their liking as well as a number of ichneumon wasps, who are all quite
happy to add our butterflies to their menu.

Conclusion

In New Zealand we like to see our butterflies on the wing each summer
and it would be silly to sit back and wait for the balance of nature to
work out the best outcome. So here in Waihi, we are endeavouring to
cut down the number of wasp nests and be of help to the Northland
people by building up the foodplant for the Monarch's larvae. A
helpline has been set up for this very purpose.

There is a butterfly house in western Auckland built and run by Ted
Scott. The butterflies are bred under the protective cover of
garden/nurcry mesh. But where this butterfly house differs from
others, is that all the butterflies are released by a number of helpful
school children. Good news is that Ted intends to build an additional
butterfly enclosure to enable him to carry out the same procedures
with our native Red and Yellow admirals (Sassaris gonerilla and B.
itea).

There is of course one more thing that would give our butterflies an
added helping hand and that is an unusually freezing cold winter! This
would cut down the numbers of unwelcome visitors from Australia!

ad Volume 55 ° December 1996 265

The moths of Mepal — additions for 1994 and 1995
by Rob Partridge (8956)

11 New Road, Mepal, Ely, Cambridgeshire.

This is the fourth article about the moths I have recorded around my
home village of Mepal in Cambridgeshire (VC29). Earlier articles
appeared in Bull. amat. Ent. Soc. 51: 293-297, 52: 267-272 and 53: 245-
247.

During 1994 and 1995 a further 31 species were added to this local
list, giving a total of 205 since recording began in 1990.

ZYGAENIDAE

Narrow-bordered five-spot burnet (Zygaena lonicerae). A good colony was
found on the south-facing bank of the village by-pass on 2.7.94, with at least a
dozen individuals in flight. Several possible foodplants were present.

GEOMETRIDAE

Dwarf cream wave Udaea fuscovenosa). One came to m.v. in the garden on
30.6.94. Several were noted subsequently in 1994 and 1995.

Dark-barred twin-spot carpet (Xanthorhoe ferrugata). One taken on 20.5.94
confirmed that I already had a specimen among X. spadicearia. Several more
were seen after this date.

Wood carpet (Epirrhoe rivata). A pristine specimen came to m.v. on 7.7.94.
Barry Dickerson, the recorder for old Huntingdonshire (VC31), pointed out that
this species has become much scarcer there since the early 1980s (pers. comm.).

Twin-spot carpet (Perizoma didymata). From 26.6.94 this moth was found
commonly, flying along hedgerows at dusk on the Ouse Washes, although it
has never come to light in the garden.

Toadflax pug (Eupithecia linariata). A single came to actinic light on 7.6.94.
The foodplant, Linaria vulgaris, has not been found locally.

Wormwood pug (Eupithecia absinthiata). Larvae were collected from ragwort,
Senecio jacobaea, on 24.9.93 and emerged from 4.7.94.

Sloe pug (Eupithecia chloerata). One larva was beaten from blackthorn, Prunus
spinosa, blossom in 23.3.94. This species was common at a site near Ely in

WS:

Early tooth-striped (Jrichopteryx carpinata). One came to actinic light on
6.5.95. B. Dickerson (pers. comm.) has only one record for VC31 in recent years
— Weavely Wood on 14.5.92.

Yellow-barred brindle (Acasis viretata). Several came to actinic light at a nearby
pit on 1.6.94. This is one of the few sites in the area where ivy, Hedera helix, is
plentiful.

266 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 34

Lilac beauty (Apeira syringaria). One male came to m.v. on 14.7.95.

Scalloped hazel (Odontopera bidentata). One to m.v. on 1.6.94.

White-pinion spotted (Lomographa bimaculata). The first came to m.v. on
31.5.94 — others were noted after this. The species is common at a site near Ely.

Yellow belle (Aspitates ochrearia). On 3.9.94 a specimen came to the garage
light while I was setting up the trap! It is a small, lightly marked individual
whose identity was confirmed by B. Skinner at the annual exhibition that
year. Generally a species of coastal counties but established in the
Brecklands.

SPHINGIDAE

Convolvulus hawk-moth (Agrius convolvuli). One came to m.v. on 13.9.95. Two
specimens of the common immigrant Nomophila noctuella (Lep.: Pyralidae)
were also present.

LYMANTRIIDAE

Pale tussock (Calliteara pudibunda). 13.5.95 to m.v. was the first date — two
other followed. On 24.9.95 a fully-grown larva was found feeding on dogweed,
Cornus sanguinea, in a local hedgerow.

NOLIDAE

Short-cloaked moth (Nola cucullatella). The first came to m.v. on 2.7.94 —
others followed. One was seen in 1995.

Least black arches CN. confusalis). One came to m.v. on 29.4.95. After this it
was found in good numbers in the remnants of an old orchard nearby.

NOCTUIDAE

The shears (Hada nana). One to m.v. on 1.6.94: another on 30.5.95.
Pale-shouldered brocade (Lacanobia thalassina). Two to m.v. — 1.6.94 and
22.6.94.

The campion (Hadena rivularis). On 17.6.94 one came to m.v.. Though
somewhat worn, a more attractive species than illustrations suggest.

Feathered gothic (Tholera decimalis). A female to m.v. on 30.8.94 and a male
on 6.9.94.

The sprawler (Brachionycha sphinx). One to actinic on 4.11.94.

Merveille du jour (Dichonia aprilina). On 13.10.95 three appeared to m.v. —
two outside the trap and one inside. The trap was run on the five succeeding
nights to see if others were present but no more were recorded. No recognised
immigrants were seen but Udea ferrugalis (Lep.: Pyralidae) had been noted on
Sih ORS):

There seems to be some disagreement about the status and flight period of
Dichonia. The Colour Identification Guide to the Moths of the British Isles
says that it is a suspected occasional immigrant flying from mid-September to

3d Volume 55 * December 1996 267

mid- October. The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland, Volume
10 makes no mention of this species being an immigrant, and gives a flight
period from mid-October in the south of England.

Yellow-line quaker (Agrochola macilenta). One to m.v. on 25.10.95.
Barred sallow (Xanthia aurago). One to m.v. on 4.10.95.

Dark dagger (Acronicta tridens). A male specimen taken on 7.7.92 seemed
browner and less clearly marked than other A. psi when I was reviewing the
collection in the winter of 1994. Examining the genitalia with a hand-lens
seemed to indicate A. tridens and this was confirmed by B. Dickerson in April

1996.

Lesser-spotted pinion (Cosmia affinis). Adults began to emerge on 5.7.94 from
larvae collected in late May of the same year — all were found on English elm,
Ulmus procera. Larvae were common again in late 1995.

Double-lobed (Apamea ophiogramma). One came to m.v. on 14.7.95.

Twin-spotted wainscot (Archanara geminipuncta). To m.v. on 6.8.94 and
another on the following night. This species is said to be seldom reported at
light but I have also taken it using actinic light at a site near Ely.

Small yellow underwing (Panemeria tenebrata). On 8.5.94 several were found
flying in hot sunshine along a drainage bank on the Ouse Washes. They fed
frequently at meadow buttercups, Ranunculus acris. Spoil from dredging
operations smothered much of the bank in the following winter but one short
section seems to be undamaged, although the species was not seen in 1995.

The above species were all recorded in and around my home village.
For the sake of completeness I give records of three other species
found in VC29.

Water carpet (Lampropteryx suffumata). One came to m.v. on 7.5.95 in
Doghouse Grove, Wilburton, Cambridgeshire.

Oak-tree pug (Eupithecia dodoneata). A pug was seen laying eggs on the buds
of hawthorn blossom, Crataegus monogyna, on 1.5.95 at the Roswell Pits near
Ely. The moth and ova were collected and by 8.6.95 larvae were feeding on the
calyces of the fruit. A number of pupae were successfully overwintered and
began to emerge on 20.4.95.

Nut-tree tussock (Colocasia coryli). One came to m.v. at Doghouse Grove on
23.4.95. This species was also found to be common at Fordham Wood,
Cambridgeshire.

Finally, one of the earlier articles reported the discovery of a single larva of the
Oak eggar, Lasiocampa quercus, in somewhat suspicious circumstances,
suggesting that it may have been imported on shrubs from another area. I am
pleased to report that the species is resident; several females have been
attracted to light, a male has been found drying its wings on a July afternoon,
and a larva was found feeding on low, scrubby bramble, Rubus fruticosa.

268 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society Sé

Many thanks to Barry Dickerson for his comments about many species
taken over the years and for his help in identifying some of the more
difficult ones, and also to the RSPB and English Nature for allowing me
to record on the Ouse Washes SSSI.

References
Heath, J. & Emmet, A.M. (Eds.), 1983. The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and
Ireland 10, Harley Books, Colchester.
Skinner, Bernard, 1984, Colour Identification Guide to the Moths of the British Isles. Viking,
London.

COMING SOON TO THE AES...
THE AES

ten ny vO Ae be grtofully « received by
young and old alike!

Please send all contributions to the _
\ ‘AES Bug Club, PO Box 8774, London SW7 52ZG.

Membership includes a regular newsletter,
field trips, competitions and much more!

For more details, please write, enclosing a SAE to:
AES Bug Club, PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG

3d Volume 55 * December 1996 269

A Mining bee, Andrena humiilis, evicting two earwigs from its
nest-hole

by Neil A. Robinson (10002)
3 Abbey Drive, Natland, Kendal, Cumbria LAO 7QN.

Duce junc 1995 1 spent quite-a lot of time watching and
photographing a colony of mining bees, Andrena humilis Imhoff (Plate
96X, Figs. 7 & 8), in the centre of a much-used public footpath on
Heslington Barrows, Cumbria (SD487895). The colony consists of about
100 holes, each surrounded by a mound of soil, in an area of about
20m’. The females are brightly coloured by golden pollen from rough
hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus L.) on a nearby roadside verge as they fly
to their holes, but are quite dull when they emerge minus pollen. On
29th June at 10.30am I noticed a pollen-less female grappling with
something in the entrance to its nest-hole. Thinking I was about to
witness a dispute with another female, or perhaps with a nomad bee, I
took a photograph. The bee flew off and I was puzzled to see a pair of
long straight antennae waving out of the hole. The next moment a large
earwig shot out and scuttled away — I only had time to note from its
straight-sided pincers that it was a female. The bee then returned to its
hole and again I sould see that it was fighting with something — I took
another photograph. Then a second earwig emerged, this time limping
lopsidedly, presumably having been stung by the bee.

This raises a number of questions. First; had the earwigs entered the
nest-hole to raid the pollen store, pollen being one of their favoured
foods, or were they simply using the dark hole as a retreat? Secondly;
as earwigs are supposed only to be active in darkness, presumably they
had entered the hole during the night — in which case, what had the
bee been doing all this time? The fact that the bee was without pollen
may be significant as I have noticed that if a pollen-bearer is unable to
enter its hole, for instance, because the mound has been trodden on, it
disappears for a while and then returns, minus pollen, to reopen it. This
suggests to me that the battle with the intruders had begun before I
arrived on the scene. I would be very interested to know whether there
are any previous observations of earwigs using mining bee nest-holes,
and if it is known whether they are attracted by, and eat, the stored
pollen.

The next day I saw a pollen-bearing female hesitating at the mouth
of its hole, but this time a pollen-less female emerged, without any
dispute, and the other entered. This is the only case I have observed of
two A. humilis apparently using the same nest-hole.

270 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society |

Holidays in south-west France

by Jerry Jones (8347)

58 Wybourn Drive, Onchan, Isle of Man IM3 4AT.

I have, for as long as I can remember, been a fanatical admirer of
butterflies — those ephemeral beauties of the insect world of which we
in the British Isles can boast around 60 species either resident or
migratory.

Living as I do in the Isle of Man, snuggled in between Ireland and
mainland Britain, in the centre of the Irish Sea, I maintain a keen
interest in the 17 species of butterfly which are either native to the
island or migrate here annually. Seventeen species is not a lot and,
when the opportunity to visit elsewhere to see other species arises, I
am always keen to take it.

With this in mind — and the need to find some place where the
summer temperatures rise above 17 degrees Celsius — my wife and |
decided to take the plunge in 1989 and buy an old house in the Lot-et-
Garonne departement of south-west France.

As teachers we are both fortunate to be able to take a long summer
holiday, so we decided to explore a part of France which was new to
us both. Indeed our first holiday down there at Easter 1990 was the first
visit my wife had ever paid to France, whilst my experience of the
country had been confined to visiting the north and north-east.

That first Easter was an adventure and a half! Just prior to our arrival
the temperatures had hit an almost record low of minus-nine degrees
Celsius and, the day we arrived, the temperature had just about
managed to creep up to eight or nine degrees.

Our excitement on arrival was, therefore, tempered somewhat by the
realisation that we had not brought with us any suitably warm clothing.
Well, the worst happened, and it was cold and wet for the entire
fortnight except for one afternoon in the the middle of the first week
when, inexplicably it seemed, the sun came out and the temperatures
rose to around 25 degrees Celsius. What a contrast! The flowers on the
tamarisk tree in our front garden opened up and — best of all — the
butterflies arrived! There weren’t many of them that first Easter, but
there were two that I had never seen before in Britain.

The first landed on the front lawn — though with the grass not having
been cut since the previous August, it resembled something near a mini
jungle.

tf Volume 55 ° December 1996 214

I had been sitting on a low wall on the verandah at the front of the
house, enjoying a well-earned beer (by this time the interior
decorating had begun to take its toll) when I spotted a smallish
orange/brown butterfly which kept alighting on the grass behind me,
only to take off again at regular intervals to drive away a similar
insect which seemed intent on laying claim to the same small area of
lawn.

This behaviour gave me a clue as to the identity of the species and,
after eventually getting close enough I established the fact that it was a
Speckled wood — but not the Speckled wood we find in Britain! The
markings were similar admittedly, but whereas the British insect has
creamy markings on the brown background, this butterfly was very
orange in colour. With my identification book at the ready, I realised
that this was the southern European form of the Speckled wood, in
which the creamy markings are replaced by orange.

I was just congratulating myself on identifying this species when, out
of the corner of an eye, I spotted what looked like a small pale-
coloured kite gliding down to the tamarisk tree. A closer look revealed
it to be a Swallowtail but, again, not the Swallowtail of which we have
a British race. No, this was the rather erroneously-named Scarce
swallowtail which, in most of Europe seems to be far more common
than its “common” relative.

For the next hour and a half I happily snapped away with the camera
using up at least ten films, in the hope of obtaining one or two “classic”
shots.

Well, that was it; I was well and truly hooked and the summer
holidays could not come soon enough. When they did arrive we were
fortunate to be able to spend six glorious weeks in almost non-stop
sunshine at our new-found paradise.

As for the butterflies; that first summer I was able to photograph
many, many species I’d not seen before. There were plenty of blues;
Long and Short-tailed, Adonis, Chalkhill, Alcon, Large and Small. There
were Large and Sooty coppers; Woodland and Great-banded graylings;
Heath, Weaver's, Meadow, Knapweed, Silver-washed and Queen of
Spain fritillaries; Wood whites, Southern white admiral, Lesser purple
emperor, Mallow skipper, Dryads and Common and Scarce swallowtails
and many more.

To someone used to the relative dearth of wildlife to be found in the
Isle of Man, it was like being transported to a naturalist’s heaven.

272 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society La

Other wildlife soon made itself evident. There were umpteen species
of damsel and dragonfly, huge — and not so huge — beetles, spiders,
grasshoppers, crickets, day-flying moths and the ubiquitous wall lizards.
I even unearthed a mini-colony of marbled newts which had decided to
spend the summer months underneath a pile of old roof slates stacked
up behind my barn.

Night-time brought other visitors to the house. The larger moths
homed in on the bulkhead light outside the front door, glow worms
were evident in back and front gardens, as were stick-insects and
praying mantids. What I first thought to be a night-flying dragonfly
turned out to be an ant lion — the larvae and adults of which are
ferocious carnivores — thank goodness they’re not 100-times bigger!

Some may be surprised when I say that one of the greatest pleasures
at night time was to watch numerous toads shuffling along in the
undergrowth searching out juicy earthworms or beetles. It was a
pleasure for me to see them, because there are no toads in the Isle of
Man. Indeed there are no snakes, squirrels, voles or badgers. on the Isle
of Man either, so the sight of what to many might seem common and
possibly uninteresting, was novel and the cause of much excitement.

Since those first two visits to our house in France some six years ago,
we have been back every summer, and most Easters and the list of
wildlife has continued to grow. I count myself fortunate to be able to
holiday there each year and to photograph such diverse wildlife, but
holidays are only holidays, of course, and one has always to retum
home to face the reality of working for one’s living. Still, God willing,
there’s always next year!

Snail-dwelling wasp
by George Ellis (3881)

Department of Entomology, The Natural History Museum, London SW7 5BD.

I was interested to read Philip Wilkins’ recent account of a wasp
inhabiting a snail shell he found in southern Spain. The insect is
unlikely to have been a wasp, though this cannot be. definitely ruled
out as one may have taken shelter in the shell during the heat of the
day. I know of no non-parasitic wasp which nests in snail shells. It is
much more likely, however, that the shell was the nest site of a species
of solitary bee. There are several species in the subfamily Megachilinae

ad Volume 55 * December 1996 273

which use empty snail shells for their nests. These shell-nesting bees
are mostly in the genera Hoplitis and Osmia and are close relatives of
the leaf-cutter bees (genus Megachile). In Britain, these include three
species: Osmia aurulenta, O. bicolor and Hoplitis spinulosa. Once a
snail shell has been appropriated as a nest site the bee begins to build
its nest, mainly within the “whorl” or spire of the shell. A typical nest
consists of a few chambers (about two or four in number, depending
on the size of the shell) known as cells, the walls of which consist of
masticated leaf pulp known as leaf mastic. When fresh the colour of
this material is bright-green but, with time, assumes a brownish or
black colour. Each cell is provisioned with a mixture of pollen and
nectar, an egg is laid on this, and the cell sealed with further leaf
mastic. The period from the egg to full-fed larva is usually quickly
completed. Those species which fly in the spring generally overwinter
as adults within their sealed cells. Bees which fly from mid to late
summer normally overwinter as fully-fed larvae which pupate in the
spring.

In many shell-nesting bees, a shell containing a completed nest is
simply left exposed to the elements. However, in some species the
female excavates a pit in the sand into which the shell is rolled, before
being covered by a layer of sand. In Osmia bicolor the occupied shell is
covered with a pile of perhaps two hundred dead stems or numerous
fragments of leaf litter, each stem or fragment being carried in the
mandibles of the female and deposited on top of the shell. The purpose
of the eventual heap is not known but may act as_ short-time
camouflage Cit is probably quickly dispersed by wind and rain).

Some solitary wasps are cleptoparasites of snail-nesting bees. These
wasps include species in the genus Sapyga. The female Sapyga lays an
egg in the provisioned cell of the bee. The resulting larva destroys the
bee’s egg or newly-emerged larva and feeds on the pollen and nectar.
It is possible that the insect which Mr Wilkins saw inside his shell was a

Sapygad.

274 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36

A New Zealand Copper, Lycaena rauparaha

by Steve Eden

14 Stafford Street. Waibi, B.O.P.. New Zealand.

Back in 1994 I spent some time on holiday at a little seaside resort on
the Bay of Plenty called Matata, a small caravan park that is only
separated from the sea by a long line of sand dunes. The camping
ground had no electricity laid on, so everything in our caravan was run
on LPG.

The sand dunes are completely covered by masses of the Copper’s
foodplant Muehblenbeckia australis which occurs around the whole of
the New Zealand coastline. This plant forms a thick springy mat
growing up to one metre high.

The Copper itself has a historic background. It is named after an
infamous Maori chief of the Ngati Toa tribe many years ago, which is
interesting because this Copper covers the same areas that the chief
covered in his fights with neighbouring tribes.

January is the time that one can be assured of seeing this Copper on
the wing, although it can be found earlier if the weather has been
moderate over the spring period (September).

LI. rauparaha has a wingspan of 25-31mm and can be seen in the
hundreds fluttering across its foodplant seeking the choicest young
shoots to place its tiny eggs on. It was keeping company with the
Common blue butterfly, which is now (in the month of April) the only
butterfly on the wing.

I have sat in the car and watched a fairly recent immigrant from
Australia, the Paper wasp Polistes chinensis (25mm) hawking over the
Muebhlenbeckia looking for the Copper’s larvae to take back to its nest
to feed its young.

Rauparaha’s copper does not like wind or overcast weather. So the
long range weather forecast had to be observed before we set out on
our holiday. Sexual dimorphism is less extreme in this species than in
its friend the Common copper L. salustius, so it takes some expertise to
differentiate between the two.

Something that is fairly common in L. rauparaha is the occurrence of
two different colours. This is the golden/orange colour on the
underside and also the variety that is a mustard colour underside.

The entomologist stationed at the Wellington Museum advised me to
write to a Dr George Gibbs at the Victoria University. Dr Gibbs told me

od Volume 55 ° December 1996 275

that he had written a book on the subject of New Zealand butterflies
and that it could help me to differentiate between the closely allied
species whose range sometimes overlap. Dr Gibbs’ beautifully
illustrated book, along with its keys are of essential value.

Dealing with rauparaha’s main points we can see the difference
quite clearly.

Lycaena rauparaha:

The upper wing veins are displayed in singular black markings. J.
salustius has two thin lines making up the wing venation on the males.
Salustius females have double marked veins on hindwing M2, M3 and
CuAl. However L. rauparaha does not have blue sub-marginal spots
on the female. LZ. rauparaha does not have any black scales within the
upper veins of the forewing M3, CuAl and CuA2 triangular shaped
(salustrius does).

M3
CuAl
CuA2

Triangle clear
of black scales

No double lines on
either sex, on forewing
nor hindwing.

Meuhlenbeckia australis
Carger than complexa)

L. rauparaha: male

(upper side)

Black scales

L. salustius: male
(upper side)
Blue sub-marginal spots on female only.

276 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36

Conclusion

To collect perfect specimens of L. rauparaha one would need to hunt
for its pupa lying in the leaf-litter beneath the tangled mass of the
springy foodplant Muehlenbekia, which is no easy job.

One cannot grow this plant in a breeding cage very well, and it will
not last if pruned from the plant and put into water. However, good
specimens can be obtained if caught just after the first emergence. It is
also found that setting them before the wings have stiffened is best.

Large influx of migrants in southern England
by Derek Jenkins

7 Lakewood Road, Ashurst, Hampshire SO40 7DH.

Whilst prospecting ponds near Ninham, Isle of Wight, on Ist June, for
signs that the Odonata population was finally emerging after the
appalling conditions in May, I came across Small coppers (Z. phlaeds), a
Wall brown (Z. megera) and a Painted lady (Cynthia cardui). Since |
usually record only one or two of the latter per year this was a
promising start to the day. However, on continuing my walk, a further
five C. cardui were encountered on rough grassland at the back of
Sandown Airport. The following day 12 more were found a couple of
miles away in a lane at Alvestone in late afternoon under relatively dull
but warm conditions. During the following week, temperatures reached
the lower 80s and five C. cardui were in a garden in the centre of
Southampton and a further two plus numerous Silver Y moths
(Autographa gamma) in a nearby park at Shirley.

On 8th June I carried out work at Fletchwood Meadows, a
Hampshire Wildlife Trust reserve at Ashurst, near Southampton and
flushed 11 C. carduiand countless A. gamma from grassland at 8.30am.
In the afternoon ten more were counted at White Moor, Burley and 12
at Vales Moor, both in the New Forest area. In spite of a slight northerly
breeze, most C. cardui on the wing were heading northwards. The
following day I led a field trip to Fletchwood Meadows and rashly
guaranteed that C. cardui would be seen but only one appeared, right
at the end of a two-hour visit! A. gamma were as numerous as before.
Had they all moved northwards as suggested by the flight pattern of the
previous day? Certainly more C. cardui were seen in the afternoon
further south in the New Forest at Dibden Bottom (11) and Crockford
(9). It would be interesting to hear of other sightings and dates to see if
this was a steady up-country movement or whether the migrants arrived

at the same time over a wide area of the country. Presumably all the
migrants (and the rabid Daubentins bat) were carried in on the strong
south to south-east winds in the last week of May.

In the week up to the 14th June no further C. cardui were seen in
Southampton in spite of continuing good weather, although a handful
of Red admirals (Vanessa atalanta) were present in the parks. At the
weekend, however, a further trip to the Isle of Wight produced two C.
cardui (and a Broad-bordered bee hawkmoth, H. fuciformis) on red
valerian in a Brading garden and a total of 24 spread out over
Bembridge Marsh, ranging from reasonably fresh-looking specimens to
some almost devoid of colour. Over the period from 1st June to 15th
June, C. cardui was by far the most numerous butterfly encountered,
with other species only present in ones and twos in any given area.

Also at Fletchwood Meadows on 9th June was a single female Pale
clouded yellow (C. byale). In flight this appeared to be a starkly
contrasting black and white insect, quite unlike C. crocea f. helice of
which several specimens were seen two years previously, and
resembled an undersized Marbled white. At the one brief pause from
flight, the upper side of the rear hind wings were seen to lack the
greyish coloration of C. crocea f. helice.

Glasgow micro-moths
by Frank McCann (6291)

3 Langbar Path, Easterbouse, Glasgow G33 4HY.

I captured two small moths on the window which were white in colour
— both the same species I think, they were micro-moths but a species I
could not identify. I suspected at least one of them would be a female
so I kept both of them for eggs.

Outside the window from which they were captured is a window
box in which I have planted many flowering plants. I put the small
moths into a container with a selection of leaves from plants in the
window box and one of them has laid eggs on a leaf, but as the leaf
has withered it is difficult to identify what plant it was from. So I
collected various bits of leaf from several of the window box plants and
placed them on a large piece of white paper and wrote each species of
plant beneath them, so when the leaves wither I can match the leaf to
the same one the eggs were laid on. The eggs are white in colour and
were laid in folds in the leaf and number around ten. Both micro-moths
have died, and only the eggs remain to continue this particular species.

278 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists* Society eS

Journal
Reviews

Journal Notice

British Wildlife. A bi-monthly journal of approximately 70 pages with
coloured and other illustrations. biainable from Subscription
Department, British Wildlife Publishing, Lower Barn, Rooks Farm,
otherwick, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9BG. Price, mentioning AES.
£17.95 per year.

(

Although some members may already be aware of, and already
«7 = - ye ty koe 3 , es Se ee a 2
for those who have-1 ne yet heard of it I believe it is worth

Sees SN a Sees
aoe Orthoptera,

es)
=)
fou
‘@)
4
cr
‘e)
=
im
a
cay)
Qu
C)
ep)
2 5
jeud 5
4
a
Qi)
hs
=
)
jinn
‘al
Y
‘@)
=]
ho
<
)
em
(|)
4
Oo
fs)
D)
é
(|)
C)
er
‘f)

The issue for Apmil this year is of particular
A interest to all entomologists. [he main article

in ibe New Forest. If ever there was a clearer

= > + -
swarming — and I mean swar ming, DULTCTINES
—
si 7 43 ; 3 < |
were literal

7 | 77 3 3 - ; —
id hardly see ahead and indeed

article exp! lains it. Fo
Victorian era. up until 1914
in fact. this paradise exist

= > 3 5 .- =
anda the Gepredgatiions

3d Volume 55 « December 1996 279

of hundreds of collectors over a century made not one jot of difference
to the butterfly numbers. The rot set in with the dire necessity of tree
felling during the two world wars and the inappropriate and insensitive
management by the (conifer fixated) Forestry Commission into whose
hands the New Forest was put. This article is essential reading for all
those who may still be inclined to blame “collectors” rather than habitat
destruction for the decline of our butterflies, for it leaves no doubt
whatsoever that in the case of the New Forest such drastic changes
have taken place this century as to leave little room for all but a few
butterflies. The article does, however, end on a ray of hope; with better
understanding today of butterfly requirements, improvement in the
management of the forest could be made, but, as is so often the case
today, Government indifference and lack of understanding will first
need to be overcome.

This issue also contains two further articles on entomology. An
account of the Scarce blue-tailed dragonfly Ischnura pumilio and, by
Martin Warren, an identification guide to our skipper butterflies with all
the species illustrated in colour. Un previous issues of the journal I
have noticed similar treatment of the blues.) Quite apart from its normal
entomological content which keeps one right up-to-date with migrants
arriving, times of appearance and notes on recent research, I have, over
the past couple of years, found much of interest in this well-illustrated
journal and can heartily recommend it.

Brian O.C. Gardiner (225)

Journal article review

The butterflies of the Canary Islands: a survey on their distribution,
biology and ecology by Martin Wiemers. A4, pp 63-118 © coloured) in
Linneana Belgica Vol. XV Nos. 2 & 3 1995 (Journal price FB950 from
45, Leuvensestraat, B-1800 Vilvoorde, Belgium).

With so many of us now visiting these and other Atlantic islands here at
last is a really comprehensive and well-researched account of the 32
butterfly species to be found in this group of islands. The geography,
climate, vegetation and early history of lepidopterology in the islands is
first of all discussed at length and this is followed by a clearly laid out
account of all the species which includes many previously unpublished
records.

280 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society tS]

The text is illustrated with diagrams of the vegetation zones and
maps of the distribution of the species on the various islands making
up this macaronesian archipelago. These clearly indicate how, as
elsewhere, species have declined, or perhaps I should say “not been
recorded” on some of the islands since 1974, so any visitors to any of
the islands, particularly the least visited such as El Hierro or
Fuerteventura would do well to look out for and record all they see.

Just how well researched this account is can be seen both from the
extensive list of over seven pages of references and the contents of the
text where recent and/or researched information is given. For instance
(correcting my own 1979 published remarks!) the long-debated
question of the chicken or the egg, that is as to whether Pieris
cheiranthi (perhaps as the nominate P. brassicae) or its previously
recorded South American foodplant, Tropaeolum majus arrived on the
islands first has now been settled by Allcard & Valletta’s discovery in
1982 of eggs being laid and larvae feeding on the native endemic
Brassicaceae, Cvambe strigosa, which grows on wet rocks inside the
laurel forests. Favouring such a habitat no wonder P. cheiranthi avoids
the cultivated cabbages!

The three pages of colour illustrate 32 subjects ranging from localities
to early stages and adult butterflies. The majority of the adults are not
shown but all are of course to be found illustrated in Higgins & Riley, A
field guide to the butterflies of Britain and Europe and similar books.
Over a dozen are our familiar British species.

Although published in a Belgian journal this paper is in excellent
English and deserves to be consulted by all who intend the visit the
Canary Islands. It would be extremely useful if it were to be reprinted
as a separate publication and I am sure it will remain the definitive
account of the butterflies of the Canary Islands for many years to come

and may we now look forward to someone doing the same
account for the moths (and _ other
Orders?) of these islands?

Brian O.C. Gardiner (225)

ed Volume 55 ¢ December 1996 281

Observations on the increase of recorded species of Lepidoptera
in the Pendle Hill area

by Edward Sutcliffe

359 Wheatley Lane Road, Fence, Burnley.

In December 1939 Alan Brindle published his Lepidoptera of the Pendle
Hill area, in which he states “the following list of lepidoptera is a
complete catalogue of all the material which has been collected in the
district around Pendle Hill for many years past”.

This account, together with addenda and corrigenda in 1940, 1948
and 1950 by the same author, is the last significant record for this area.

Pendle Hill, rising to 1,831 feet above sea level, is situated in the
north-east corner of Lancashire. The area included in Brindle’s work
extends to Gisburn and Bolton-by-Bowland in the north, Whalley in the
west, Burnley and Worsthorne in the south and Elslack and Emmott
Moor in the east. It will be noted that part of the area covered is within
the county of Yorkshire. It encompasses the urban areas of Colne,
Nelson, Burnley and Clitheroe formerly extensively involved in the
spinning of cotton and associated trades but now, with the demise of
the former industry, diversified into engineering and other forms of
commerce. The rural areas are mainly given over to dairy farming in the
lower regions and sheep farming on the uplands. Geologically the
carboniferous coal measures outcrop to the south, millstone grit forms
the bulk of the higher region and the carboniferous limestone series
outcrops to the north in the Ribblesdale Valley.

The 1938 list and amendments include 15 species of butterfly: Large
white Pieris brassicae, Small white P. rapdae, Green-veined white P. napi,
Clouded yellow Colias croceus, Green hairstreak Callophrys rubi, Small
copper Lycaena phlaeas, Common blue Polyommatus icarus, Monarch
Danaus plexippus, Peacock Inachis io, Red admiral Vanessa atalanta,
Painted lady Cynthia cardui, Small tortoiseshell Aglais urticae, Meadow
brown Maniola jurtina, Wall brown Lasiommata megera, and Small
heath Coenonympha pamphilus. The Meadow brown, which is now
widespread and abundant throughout the area, is described as a rare
visitor, indeed only two individuals were recorded between 1935 and
1940. The Common blue is also described as rare, again this is now
widespread and common, c.100 being observed at a single site in 1995.

Since 1950 a further eight species of butterfly have been recorded in
the area and it would be perhaps opportune to examine these in some
detail at this point.

282 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society ad

Orange tip Anthocharis cardamines — This butterfly is now
widespread and very common throughout the area. It was first
recorded in the Burnley area in the mid-1970s (Spencer). The
favourite host plant in north-east Lancashire appears to be garlic
mustard Alliaria petiolata.

Large skipper Ochlodes venata — First reported in the Burnley area in
1984 and again in 1985 and from the Nelson area in 1991 (Stone &
Sutcliffe). There are now many well-established colonies distributed
throughout the area.

Small skipper 7Thymelicus sylvestris — First reported in the Burnley
area in two distinct colonies in 1992 (Spencer), since which time
other colonies have been identified. One of the original colonies
had an estimated population of 1000+ on the 23rd July 1995
(Spencer). It is interesting to note that the distribution maps in
books by Emmet and Heath in 1989 and Thomas 1991 both show
this species absent from north-east Lancashire.

Comma Polygonia c-album — A single specimen reported from
Huntroyde, near Burnley, 1950, one photographed in Burnley in
1991 (Spencer), also in that year there were a number of recordings
in the Blackburn area. First definite sightings in the Colne and
Nelson areas occurred in 1994 (Stone & Sutcliffe). In 1995 there was
a remarkable increase in the number of sightings of this species
with over 20 individuals being reported and several multiple
sightings. Again the species is well outside the range on the
distribution maps provided by Emmett and Heath (1989) and
Thomas (1991).

Holly blue Celastrina argiolus — Although it is well documented that
this species is erratic in its population fluctuations, partially resulting
from a see-saw effect caused by its relationship with the host
specific ichneumon Listrodomus nycthemerus, nevertheless there are
indications that its numbers are increasing in north-east Lancashire.
In 1991 several sightings in the same area of Nelson were recorded.
In 1992 they were again recorded in the same area of Nelson plus
two sightings in different areas of Burnley, one in Higherford and
one in Clitheroe. There were further reports of a number of
sightings in 1994 but disappointingly no records for this species in

a Volume 55 * December 1996 283

White-letter hairstreak Strymonidia w-album — Photographed in the
Burnley area in 1984 with two further sightings at Padiham, near
Burnley. Small colonies also occurred in the Blackburn area during
the same period, although the present status is not known.

Camberwell beauty Nymphalis antiopa — Several sightings of this
impressive migrant were reported in the Burnley and Nelson areas
during 1995. The heatwave prompted an influx of this species into
many areas it would not normally reach.

White admiral Ladoga camilla — A single specimen presented itself
in the garden of one of the recorders for Nelson Naturalists’ Society
on 2nd August 1995. This was so far out of its normal range that it
would be easy to dismiss it as a released specimen. However, an
influx of the species into Lincolnshire and recordings in the
Yorkshire area, notably at Wakefield, in mid-July, would cast some
doubt on this hypothesis. Especially when it is considered that a
moderate easterly wind during the first few days in August also
coincided with the arrival of large numbers of Peacock, and a
Camberwell beauty on the same day as the sightings of the White
admiral.

The last period of expansion for the White admiral was 1930-1942
when it got as far north as Lincolnshire. However, there is evidence
of further recent expansion in both east and west England. Evidence
also suggests some correlation with warm Junes and the spread has
also been attributed to the decline of woodland management — the
particular shade conditions required by the White admiral are absent
from well-managed, coppiced woodland, whereas neglected woods
provide ideal conditions.

Brimstone Gonepteryx rhamni — This wandering species has now
been sighted on several occasions in the Pendle area, although we
have no evidence of breeding in the area.

The increase in species and also in population levels since the
Second World War, and particularly during the last 20 years, is
significant and encouraging. They cannot be explained away by an
upsurge in interest in entomology in the area. Indeed the reverse would
seem to apply. Between the turn of the century and the last war many
active entomologists were in the area recording and collecting

284 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society oe

Lepidoptera — Albert Wright, Charlie Baldwin, William Clutton and Alan
Brindle. Many of their collections can still be seen in various Lancashire
museums, and the lists and records they produced are far more
impressive than anything produced in the last 50 years. Also active in
the area were Rennie and Gordon Woods, keen lepidopterists and
photographers, whose works went to illustrate several books, including
some of L.H. Newmans.

Nor can any improvement in the butterfly diversity of this area be a
result of habitat improvement. Like most areas the encroachment of
urban and industrial development into the rural areas has continued
relentlessly throughout the years. Modern farming has developed apace
destroying old hay meadows, woodland habitat and waste lands with
their rich variety of flora.

I have examined carefully the meteorological records for the area
over the last 40 years. There are, of course, yearly variations in the
temperature and rainfall records, but these appear to be random
fluctuations and there is no consistent increase or decrease in any of
the records which would indicate a reason for the improvement we
have noted.

The only meaningful improvement which could enhance the
development of lepidoptera is the cleaner air which has resulted from
the introduction of The Clean Air Act in the late 1950s, and
subsequent works carried out. The scores of chimneys which once
belched out their black smoke from Blake’s satanic mills are no more,
sadly a result of economic decline as much as any act of Parliament.
Also the domestic effluent from thousands of household chimneys in
this densely-populated area has ceased to befoul the air around us.
Where, once-of-a-day, the industrialised valleys viewed from the
summit of Pendle Hill were lost in a haze of murk, the air is now
clear. The sulphur dioxide, carbon particles and other contaminates
which once besmirched every flower, leaf and twig, are now largely
eliminated.

It has been said that there is no evidence of susceptibility in
butterflies to sulphur dioxide or other pollutants (Heath ef al., 1984).
However, the odd distribution of Ringlets Aphantopus hyperantus —
which misses out large areas in north-west England, the Midlands and
areas around London — has been noted to be similar to the distribution
of lichens affected by sulphur dioxide (Ferry ef., 1973; Heath ef al.,
1984). Perhaps, after all, this is a major factor in the improved butterfly
fauna; if so, long may it continue. Which will be our next new species

ad Volume 55

December 1996 285

— Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus? Speckled wood Pararge aegaria?

Ringlet A. hyperantus?

In addition the following species of moths have been recorded which
were not included in the list drawn up by Brindle in 1939-1950.

YPONOMEUTIDAE:
Ypsolopha sequella

OECOPHORIDAE:
Agonopteryx applana
Esperia sulphurella

COCHYLIDAE:
Agapeta hamana

TOTRICIDAE:

Acleris latifasciana
Cacoecimorpha pronubana
Acleris emargana

PYRALIDAE:
Eudonia delunella
Scoparia subfusca
Hypsopygia costalis

ZY GAENIDAE:
Narrow-bordered five spot burnet
Zygaena lonicerae latomarginata

DREPANIDAE:
Oak hook-tip Drepana binaria

THY ATIRIDAE:
Buff arches Habrosyne pyritoides

GEOMETRIDAE:
Juniper carpet Thera juniperata juniperata
Latticed heath
Semiothisa clathrata clathrata
Small autumnal Epirrita filigrammaria
Rivulet Perizoma affinitata
V pug Chloroclystis v-ata
Phoenix Eulithis prunata
Green pug Chloroclystis rectangulata

NOTODONTIDAE:
Sallow kitten Furcula furcula

NOCTUIDAE:
Svensson’s copper underwing
Amphipyra berbera svenssoni
Double lobed Apamea ophiogramma
Heart and dart
Agrotis exclamationis exclamationis
Minor shoulder knot Brachylomia viminalis
Red line quaker Agrochola lota
Flame Axylia putris
Slender brindle Apamea scolopacina
Least yellow underwing
Noctua interjecta caliginosa
Olive Ipimorpha subtusa

The reasons for these moths not being previously recorded in north-

east Lancashire are not as obvious as those I have suggested for the
increase in butterfly species. It is probable that the use of light traps
(several have been used in the area and operated throughout the last
seven years) has resulted in identification of species which have been
im the area, but unrecorded, for many years. Some species, 7e.
Svensson’s copper underwing, Double lobed, Oak hook-tip, Least
yellow underwing and the Olive, are shown on the Emmett and Heath
distribution maps to be unrecorded in the area, and in theory it is

286 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 2

possible that these species, and indeed some of the others, are recent
immigrants as a result of the cleaner atmosphere. Perhaps the most
interesting of the new moths recorded is the Small autumnal which was
not included in Alan Creaser’s check list of Macrolepidoptera of
Lancashire and Cheshire 1981, although it had been recorded in VC 64
in the adjacent county of Yorkshire. Eleven specimens of this moorland
species were taken in the light trap of Stanley Stone at Trawden, near
Colne, in early September 1991.

References

Creaser, A. (1981). Macrolepidoptera of Lancashire and Cheshire. L.C.E.S. Liverpool.

Emmett, A.M. & Heath, J. (1989). Butterflies and Moths of Great Britain and Northern
Ireland. Harley Books, Colchester.

Ferry, B., Baddeley, M. & Hawksworth, D. Air pollution and lichens. Athlone Press,
London.

Heath, J., Pollard, E. & Thomas, J. Atlas of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland. Viking
Penguin, Harmondsworth.

Spencer, K.G. Reports on the status and distribution of butterflies in the Burnley area.
19935-1995:

Stone, S. & Sutcliffe, E. Entomology records, Nelson Naturalists. 19090-1995.

Sutton, S. & Beaumont, H.E. (1989). Butterflies and Moths of Yorkshire. Y.N.U. Doncaster.

Thomas, J. & Lewington, R. (1991). Butterflies of Britain and Ireland. Dorling Kindersley,
London.

Uncommon Syrphid found in Conwy, Wales
by M.O. Hughes (3612)

‘Elvira’, 1 Woodside Avenue, Kinmel Bay, Conwy, LL18 5ND, Wales.

In the afternoon of 21st June 1996 I found a male Brachypalpoides
lenta at Castell Cawr, near Abergele, Conwy, Wales. This is an area of
mixed coniferous/deciduous woodland and the insect was flying low
down beside a path. In fact it alighted on my right shoe twice before I
secured it! This may be a new record for Wales, my only other record
being a female taken in Delemere Forest, Cheshire on 14th June 1984.
However, whilst attending a field study seminar at Juniper Hall in 1980
I distinctly remember one of the other attendees netting a singleton in
the Dorking, Surrey area and that it was only the second record for
him.

These are my only records for this species in 34 years of recording
Diptera.

ae Volume 55 ¢ December 1996 287

Unusual foodplant: The Painted lady (Cynthia cardui)
by Alan Cronin

1 Chrisdory Road, Mile Oak, Portside, Sussex BN41 2WO.
and

Don McNamara

6 Fulham Close, Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB10 OSU.

On 25th, 26th and 27th July 1996 we visited the Oxfordshire areas of
Cothill, Dry Sandford, Besselsleigh and skirted the edge of Tubney
Wood. The landscape could be described as gently undulating, with
many low-lying wet areas — streams and drainage ditches, ponds and
marshes around between deciduous woodland and farms. In the woods
there were some conifers. However, the crop-fields were decidedly dry
and seemed in urgent need of a good soaking.

The farming is mainly arable: ley-grass, linseed, maize, lucerne,
oilseed, barley and wheat were seen although, at Cothill, free-range
pigs were an interesting feature. Cattle, horses and sheep and various
poultry were also much in evidence.

Apart from the usual pierids, vanessidi, satyrs and skippers, there was
an abundance of Painted ladys (Cynthia cardui) and, in a large field of
lucerne, a dozen or so Clouded yellows (Colias crocea). We obtained
two females which hopefully would lay eggs.

Much time was devoted to searching the nettles and thistles around
the edges of the crop-fields for larvae of the Red admiral (Vanessa
atalanta) and Painted lady (C. cardui).

At Cothill, in a dampish area which contained many plants of
comfrey (Symphytum officinale), one healthy Painted lady larva was
found, the give-away “purse” being easy to spot. This is not the first
time that we have found it on this plant — which is not mentioned in
P.B.M. Allan’s vade mecum.

The field of lucerne, between Besselsleigh and Cothill, was sprinkled
with many species of “weeds” and in several purses of spun-up leaves
on mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) we found larvae of the Painted lady,
at various stages of growth. However, all the larvae were dead. One
three-quarters-grown individual had its head and two front legs missing,
some were limp as if recently vacated by a parasite, others were
healthy-looking and plump — but definitely dead. Empty purses
contained frass — and the plants were searched for evidence of removal
to other quarters, only to find in other purses dead larvae. In some

288 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 36

vacated places, which may, however, indicate successful
metamorphosis, earwigs had moved in.

Around the margins of the fields were nettles and thistles and
healthier plants of mugwort abounded — only the thistles were used by
the Painted lady and nettles by the Red admiral. (Although we suspect
that some of the tiny larvae on nettle were Painted ladys — time and
growth will tell.) 3

In P.B.M. Allan’s book, Larval Foodplants, the diet of the Painted lady
larva is described as mainly thistles, but also includes stinging nettle
(Urtica dioica, lesser burdock (Arctium minus), vipers bugloss
(Echium vulgare), common mallow (Malva sylvestris) and common
cudweed (Filago germanica), although it does state “. . . and has been
found on other plants.”

Two questions are posed by this: one — is this a normal foodplant or
one upon which “desperate” females have deposited eggs? It seems that
a vigorous and energetic flier like this insect would have no trouble in
finding thistles, an abundance of which can be found in this area.
Two — what killed the larvae? It may have been a variety of causes,
even poison* from the plant or by chemicals put down on the crops,
predation or parasitation. The farm manager said that only a
biodegradable weed-killer was used early in the year to “burn-off
unwanted weeds so should not affect the caterpillars later on in the
season. In any case both Red admiral and Painted lady larvae were
found on the small outcrops of nettles and thistles amongst the lucerne
— and all of these seemed healthy.

The species of thistles encountered on the visit were: creeping thistle
(Cirsium arvense), marsh thistle (C. palustre) or welted thistle (Carduus
danthoides) and spear thistle (C. vulgare). Painted lady larvae were only
found on creeping and spear thistles (apart from the comfrey nettle and
mugwott).

The area is a treasure trove of flora and fauna — moths, too many to
list here, were abundant, so were rabbits — birdlife was amply
represented, coots and woodpeckers, amongst others. And three grass
snakes CNatrix natrix), were an extra bonus.

We would like to thank Cyril and Jenny Barrett of Cothill for letting
us Camp On their farm and for sharing our enthusiasm.

“It may be of interest that all larvae taken at Cothill turned out to be Painted ladys (not
some being Red admirals) and whilst in captivity, successfully ate the mugwort and “went
through” without trouble. However, the imagines were smaller than those reared on
thistle.

2 Volume 55 * December 1996 289

Note: In E.B. Ford’s book, Moths, (and in other literature) Cothill is referred to as being in
Berkshire. We checked with the reference book, Post Office Addresses, and it is listed as
being in Oxfordshire (Cothill, Abingdon, Oxon OX13... ). Presumably there has been a
boundary revision.

References
Allan, P.B.M. (1979). Larval Foodplants. Watkins and Doncaster.
Schaur & Thomas (1982). A Field Guide to the Wild Flowers of Britain and Europe. Collins.

Observations on the Painted lady in Arabia
by John E. Cooper (2343)

c/o National Avian Research Centre, PO Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The Painted lady butterfly (Vanessa [Cynthia] cardui) is considered to
be the most widely distributed butterfly in the world, being found on
virtually every continent (Gay, Kehimkar and Punetha, 1992). Despite
its wide prevalence, relatively little is known about many aspects of the
species' biology, in particular its migration. In this short note, I should
like to report some observations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
during March 1990.

On 16th March, my wife and I were travelling from the small town of
Hatta to the Emirate of Fujairah and stopped near Masafi. It was a
warm, sunny day and there was a gentle breeze from the north-west. A
number of species of butterfly were to be seen, mainly small numbers
of Pierids, Plain tigers (Danaus chrysippus), Blue pansies (Precis
orithya) and Painted ladys. While most of these were not going in any
obvious direction, I soon noticed that the Painted ladys were flying
south and at a fairly regular rate. Over the next twenty minutes, I
calculated that one Painted lady per second passed within a few metres
of me, flying southwards. Further along
the road, less than two kilometres away,
this same trend was noticed, but no
specific observations were made. Three to
four kilometres from Masafi, only an
occasional Painted lady was seen and
there was no evidence of directional
movement I inferred from these
observations that what I had seen earlier far X Xe
was a migration. We 7

290 Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society 2

In their book Butterflies of Oman, the Larsens (1980) discuss
migration of Vanessa cardui and describe it as “irregular in timing,
intensity and direction”. They go on to recount a record from Oman
and stress the need for more data to be collated. This note is
intended to add to the store of information on the migration of this
species.

The next observation of some interest was on Friday, 22nd March,
1996 and occurred near the border town of Mezyad, adjacent to the
UAE border with Oman. A few hundred metres from the limestone
mountain called Jebel Hafeet, I observed substantial numbers of Painted
ladys feeding on the flowers of Rhazya stricta (Family Apocynaceae).
Over a five minute period, I noted that a small number (more than five
but fewer than ten) of these butterflies appeared to be inco-ordinated,
rather like nymphalids that have been feeding on over-ripe fruit in the
autumn in Europe. Rhazya is a highly poisonous plant, avoided by
livestock, and one wonders whether the behaviour of these butterflies
might have been related to ingestion of a toxic substance. It was also
interesting to note that two Painted lady butterflies, both feeding on
one plant, had malformed wings — an appearance similar to that seen
when the wings of captive Lepidoptera do not expand properly
following emergence.

One final point concerning the Painted lady is nothing to do with
Arabia. Why has the generic name of the butterfly been changed from
Vanessa to Cynthia? No doubt the taxonomists have good reasons for
such a revision, but it has created difficulties within the Cooper family.
Our daughter, born in Kenya in 1971, was named Vanessa for a number
of reasons, not least of all because she had been born in Africa and
then migrated to England. It is hardly fair to ask her to change her
name to Cynthia at this late stage, but the clear link with the Painted
lady butterfly has now gone!

References
Gay, T., Kehimkar, I.D. and Punetha, J.C. (1992). Common Butterflies of India. Oxford
University Press, Bombay.
Larsen, T., & Larsen, K. (1980). Butterflies of Oman. John Bartholomew and Son,
Edinburgh.

Published 20th December 1996 by the Amateur Entomogists’ Society
(Registered Charity No. 267430), from PO Box 8774, London SW7 5ZG.

Since 1976.. serving lepidopterists worldwide ~ BUTTERFLY CONNECTIONS
TRANSWORLD

BUTTERFLY CO.

ILLUSTRATED BUTTERFLY CATALOGUE

“Caribana”, Silver Street, Misterton,
Somerset TA18 8NH, England
Tel: (01460) 73586 Fax: (01460) 78444

Hundreds of butterflies from South America,
Africa, Australia and the Far East. Many of our
specimens are ex-pupae or ranched. Specialists
in Papilionidae, Morphidae and Brassolidae.

Our catalogue includes many hard-to-find species
like female Moroho mhetenor, female Moroho
adonis, female Morpho anaxibia, female Moroho
vitrea, female Morpho insuralis, female Moroho
godarti, Morpho fitei, female Papilio scamander,
Papilio antimachus, female Papilio plagiatus and
female Papilio hesperus!

Request our free Catalogue today!

Butterflies, Moths, Stick Insects
Papered & set specimens, entomological equipment
Catalogue 1996/97
New lists now available of: Worldwide Papered
Butterflies and Moths, Wholesale Lists and, Current
Winter Livestock List. These, together with a copy of
our Catalogue are available free, upon request

TRANSWORLD BUTTERFLY COMPANY
APARTADO 6951 - SAN JOSE
COSTA RICA
TEL: 506-228-4768 FAX: 506-228-1573

NEW PUBLICATION FROM
THE BRITISH ENTOMOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

BRITISH HOVERFLIES: Second supplement
by Alan E. Stubbs

Paperback (ISBN: 1-899935-02-9) £6 +P&P £0.50 (overseas £1.00)

Send cheque made out to “Brit. Ent. Nat. Hist. Soc.” with order to: BENHS Sales Secretary, G.
Boyd, 17 Gainsborough Close, Cambridge CB4 ISY.

BIRTHDAY PRESENT PROBLEMS?
Why not give a years subscription to
Country-side and membership of the

BRITISH NATURALISTS’
ASSOCIATION

Hon. President: LORD SKELMERSDALE

Hon. President of the Youth Section: DAVID
BELLAMY BSc., PhD, FLS FIBiol.
The BNA is a national body for naturalists and offers:-

e Field Activities for everyone

Lectures

Branch programmes throughout the country

Journal COUNTRY-SIDE

Field trips in the UK and abroad

Natural history publications endorsed by the BNA

at reduced prices for members

Insurance cover on branch and national activities

Credit Card No. Expiry Date

Address

SUBSCRIPTION RATES

Ordinary members
(or if entitled to a state Retirement Pension .. £10.00 p.a.)

Blake Shield annual competition for young people

Free Pack of WILDLIFE Notelets for every
new subscription

Youth members

Family members
(In which there is at least 1 ordinary member... £3.00 p.a. |

If you are interested in WILDLIFE, NATURAL HISTORY, (per family)
CONSERVATION — Send your subscription with the AFFILIATED BODIES - Particularly suitable
coupon on the right to: for School Natural History Societies and

BNA, 48 Russell Way, Higham Ferrers, Biology Depariiiauis pee
(small addition for Branc embership)
Northants NN9 8EJ

ARE YOU MISSING OUT?
THE
ENTOMOLOGIST'S
RECORD
and Journal of Variation

The Editor, 14 West Road, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire CM23 2QP.

Write now! You never know what you could be missing.

The Entomologist's Record is an independent, non profit making journal.
To ensure high standards of production we use Cravitz Printing Company.

Continued from back cover

Report of the Society

Journal Reviews —

OOF (COOPUTGT = aides Arse ere ees eee to cs Bate Gem eet 236
OWF TLS ATNESUITEN? seas amee ds sauce ee scm ieee See Re iar er der tae mere Re eget 237
@istheGonsenation: Commitee me seces ee eee cece eee eee eee 238
FimanGlralgStatennembe scarce ene ceitarc. vale ee cee i a eee 241
BTS DAV VLG Cine te toe A Se on ee eae My dt he GSS ice alert pty 278

The Butterflies of the Canary Islands: A survey of their
distribution, biology and ecology from Linneana Belgica 2 and 3... 279

A NEW REPRINT FROM THE
AMATEUR ENTOMOLOGISTS' SOCIETY

PRACTICAL HINTS FOR THE FIELD LEPIDOPTERIST by J.W.Tutt

OTHER TITLES AVAILABLE FROM THE A.E.S. INCLUDE

Habitat Conservation for Insects - A Neglected Green Issue

(Hardback 262 pages, 15 figures+ 32 pages colour plates). . . . . .£12.00
A Lepidopterists Handbook (136 pages, 32 figs, 13 plates) . . See),
A Guide to Moth Traps and their Use (60 pages, 21 figures, 8 hies) 2 5-00
Breeding the British Butterflies (60 pages, 6 figures,5 plates) . . . . £3.95
Breeding the British and European Hawkmoths (56 pages) . . So S295
Practical Hints for Collecting and Studying Micros (40 pages, 11 3, ate £340
An Amateurs Guide to the Study of the Gentalia of Lepidoptera (l6pp) . £2.35
A Silkmoth Rearers Handbook (Hardback, 225pp + 32 colour

plates showing 74 photographs of larvae and adult moths) . . . . .£13.75
Killing, Setting and Storing Butterflies and Moths (19 pages) . . . . £2.85
The Study of Stoneflies, Mayflies and Caddis Flies (44 pp, 10 figs.) . . £3.40
Collecting and Studying Dragonflies (24 pages, 12 figs, 2 plates) . . . £2.35
The Hymenopterists Handbook (226 pages, illustrated). . . . . . . £8.50
Revised Flight Tables for the Hymenoptera (24 pages). . . . . . . £2.00
A Coleopterists Handbook (Hardback, 300 pages, illustrated) . . . . £15.50
Iostplantsof British Beetlesi2tipases)i 4 a 4 5 se 2 es oe e200
A Dipterists Handbook (260 pages, illustrated) . . . . R295 0
Rearing and Studying Stick and Leaf-Insects (73 pp. 43 figs. 1 Pinte): ae OO)
Rearing and Studying the Praying Mantids (22 pages, 9 plates) . . . . £2.85
Rearing Crickets in the Classroom (12 pages, 2 plates). . . . . . . £1.80

Please make all cheques/postal orders payable to 'AES Publications’ and send to:
AES Publications, The Hawthorns, Frating Road, Great Bromley,

COLCHESTER CO7 7JN. Telephone 01206 251600

Bulletin

of the Amateur Entomologists’ Society

CONTENTS

j.B. Garrett. Some observations on the behaviour of the Horrei — Vespa crabro .......
R. Parker. Pieris :

j. Hay. The Gold Bug

S. Eden. Unwelcon

R. ees The
J. Jones. Holida
S. Eden. A New
E. Sutcliffe. Ob bse
Pendle Hill area

A. Cronin & D. McNamara. Unusual foodplant: The

Short Communications
M.O. Hughes. inieresting Ne

J. Hatto. a arrival of a strange monsier ....... et SE Re eR

SAAR math se IRF Im Mort h-awect Soamercei
Pik Pa wR PTGS BELLE G42 : me CS 5

LE. Cooper. I invertebrate Collection, National Avian Research Cenire, UAE

L. Plester. In search of the 4fold n@ 2. ee eee

Be Re es See Re SSS EY gS ee
A. Cees Bel ng’ wD advaniage*’ ihe Purple hairsieak A‘UCTOUSIA Quercus
QNhcanrssenc Ginns . \ om 7QQE an 2 onmrmnan mm: Ao A475
USUI VEUAATS ULES jury US st § 77D U a & A Eee

I. Danby. A Spanish phenomenon — answers please -__.............------------------------s-----
N. Robinson. A Mining bee, Andrena humilis, evicting two earwigs from its nest-hole
G. Ellis. Snail-dwelling wasp. ................ ca lean os ig
D. Jenkins. Large influx of migrants in southem England -....................-.......-- =e

F. McCann. G acre ERMC OMINOUS an

}. E. cae Ob se es on the I

antmasc’d mn mmcirie hack ones
Ul vou MU GAGLA CUTE
Bronte ba: Oravaie P Focox CMI SF,
r c _ranwiz Essex OMI< 454

r 2 me es alle tae itt re a Cu cBOD Si eta PRICE il a 1p PO yy Ep ne oe To SI at SR Ie Ba ey EE il LY JO mer + Oia a egg. lag Nan iil me Nive pm Pataca Ot CE BY ome” Cilia cg AE AE Sn EE

Internet Archive Audio

Featured

Top

Images

Featured

Top

Software

Featured

Top

Texts

Featured

Top

Video

Featured

Top

Mobile Apps

Browser Extensions

Archive-It Subscription

Save Page Now

Full text of "Bulletin of the Amateur Entomologists' Society"

See other formats